Safety and Acceptability of Q GRFT Nasal Spray for COVID-19 Prophylaxis

This is a phase 1 study for intranasal application of Q-Griffithsin (Q-GRFT) spray as a prophylactic for severe acute respiratory syndrome-CoV-2. This randomized, placebo-controlled, single site will assess the local and systemic safety of intranasal Q-GRFT after 14 doses in approximately 45 adult participants. Participants will be randomized 2:1 (Q-GRFT nasal spray: placebo nasal spray) resulting in 30 participants enrolled into the Q-GRFT arm and 15 participants enrolled into the placebo arm. Accrual of approximately 45 evaluable participants is expected to take 6 months. The expected duration of study participation for each participant will be approximately 6-8 weeks. A clinician will apply two metered doses of Q-GRFT in each nostril (400μl total) of the participant on the day of enrollment. Participants will be monitored in the clinic for 1 hour after administration and return for a 24-hour post dose visit. If safe and acceptable, a second period of daily administration by the participant for 13 days will commence after a 5-49 day washout period. Safety assessments will be performed at day 7, day 14, and day 28 visits after the initiation of the second period. Additional safety assessments will be done by contacting participants between the 24-hour and 7-day visits and 7- and 14-day visits. The expected duration of study participation for each participant will be approximately 6-8 weeks. The primary endpoint is the proportion of participants who experience a related Grade 2 or higher adverse event. Secondary and exploratory endpoints include persistence and systemic absorption of Q-GRFT, acceptability and the impact of Q-GRFT nasal spray on smell.