ACE2 Chewing Gum on SARS-CoV-2 Viral Load (COVID 19)

NCT ID: NCT05433181

Last Updated: 2025-03-30

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: WITHDRAWN
• Clinical Phase: PHASE1/PHASE2
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-02-28
• Study Completion Date: 2025-04-01

Brief Summary

A randomized double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial of the safety, tolerability, and antiviral activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) chewing gum over a 3-day period in non-hospitalized subjects with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.

Conditions

SARS-CoV-2

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: PREVENTION
• Blinding Strategy: DOUBLE

Study Groups

ACE2 Chewing Gum

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

ACE2 Chewing Gum

Intervention Type: DRUG

The IP is formulated as an oral plant powder, which is packaged into a chewing gum. No specific excipient, buffer, salt or pH is required. CTB-ACE2, with efficient binding to both GM1 and ACE2 receptors, effectively blocks binding of the spike protein and viral entry into human cells. Oral epithelial cells are enriched with both receptors. In addition, ACE2 directly binds to the spike protein and inactivates SARS-CoV-2 virus. Therefore, CTB-ACE2 chewing gum is being evaluated for impact on entry and transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

Placebo Chewing Gum

Group Type: PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Placebo Chewing Gum

Intervention Type: OTHER

Chewing gum containing wild-type lyophilized plant cells manufactured to match the IP.

Interventions

ACE2 Chewing Gum

The IP is formulated as an oral plant powder, which is packaged into a chewing gum. No specific excipient, buffer, salt or pH is required. CTB-ACE2, with efficient binding to both GM1 and ACE2 receptors, effectively blocks binding of the spike protein and viral entry into human cells. Oral epithelial cells are enriched with both receptors. In addition, ACE2 directly binds to the spike protein and inactivates SARS-CoV-2 virus. Therefore, CTB-ACE2 chewing gum is being evaluated for impact on entry and transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

Intervention Type: DRUG

Placebo Chewing Gum

Chewing gum containing wild-type lyophilized plant cells manufactured to match the IP.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

1. Able and willing to provide informed consent prior to initiation of study procedures.

2. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study.

3. Male or female, aged 18 years to 65 years.

4. Had a positive PCR or antigen test for SARS-CoV-2 within 72 hours of enrollment.

5. In the opinion of the investigator, has the ability to comply with study procedures including chewing the study products (gum).

6. Stated willingness to refrain from brushing, eating or using any oral health care products, including mouth rinses at least one hour prior to first saliva sample.

7. Stated willingness to abstain from eating mints or other chewing gums during the duration of the study.

8. Stated willingness to abstain from using mouth rinse/gargling solutions at the time of enrollment and for the duration of the study.

9. Stated willingness to use an acceptable method of birth control throughout duration of the study. Acceptable methods include hormonal contraceptives, barrier methods, abstinence, or other effective methods approved by the PI.

10. Stated ability and willingness to store saliva samples at approximately 40° F for 3 days.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Individuals receiving antiviral medications that are thought to be active against SARS-CoV-2 in the opinion of the investigator.

2. Individuals receiving oral or injectable antimicrobial medications (antibacterial, antiviral, antibiotics, including hydroxychloroquine) at time of enrollment.

3. Currently undergoing cancer treatment.

4. Pregnant or breastfeeding women.

5. Participation in any other clinical trial within the past 14 days that used an investigational drug product.

6. Admitted to the hospital or other medical facility or in the opinion of the investigator expected to require admission to a medical facility for the duration of the study.

7. Taking chronic immunosuppressive medications at time of enrollment, defined as immunomodulatory agents or a prednisolone dose greater than 10 mg a day.

8. Uncontrolled hypertension, defined as ≥160 mmHg systolic or ≥100 mmHg diastolic.

9. Allergy/hypersensitivity to lettuce, gelatin (plant based), stevia, or unwillingness to consume genetically modified plant material.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 65 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

University of Pennsylvania

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Locations

Infectious Diseases Clinical Trial Unit

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Countries

United States

References

Ganesan PK, Kulchar RJ, Kaznica P, Montoya-Lopez R, Green BJ, Streatfield SJ, Daniell H. Optimization of biomass and target protein yield for Phase III clinical trial to evaluate Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 expressed in lettuce chloroplasts to reduce SARS-CoV-2 infection and transmission. Plant Biotechnol J. 2023 Feb;21(2):244-246. doi: 10.1111/pbi.13954. Epub 2022 Dec 1. No abstract available.

Reference Type: DERIVED

PMID: 36314106 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

851459

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id