Safety Study of a Disrupted Adenovirus (Ad) Serotype Cocaine Vaccine for Cocaine-dependent Individuals

This is a Phase I dose-ranging, placebo-controlled, double blind study assessing the safety
and preliminary efficacy of an anti-cocaine vaccine called "dAd5GNE vaccine". The vaccine is
designed to prevent cocaine from reaching the brain. The vaccine is comprised of GNE, a
cocaine-like molecule that is linked to the capsid protein of a disrupted serotype 5
adenovirus. The vaccine is used to evoke "immunity" to prevent cocaine from reaching the
brain. The vaccine evokes an immune system response and stimulates the creation of
anti-cocaine antibodies. The antibodies bind to the cocaine molecules when a person takes
cocaine and prevents the cocaine molecules from reaching the brain. This cocaine-antibody
complex is not able to cross the blood brain barrier and thus eliminates the effects of
cocaine on the brain, as seen in pre-clinical studies done by our group. In mice, rats and
nonhuman primates, this vaccine evoked a persistent, high titer, high affinity IgG
anti-cocaine antibody response. The pre-clinical studies conducted establish efficacy for
high anti-cocaine antibody titers. The immunity sequesters parenterally administered cocaine
in the blood, in mice, rats and nonhuman primates (Appendix I-III).

For each subject, the study will take place over a period of 32 weeks from the time of the
first vaccine administration, and will enroll cocaine addicts, as defined by the Diagnostic
and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, Text Revisions (DSM-V-TR).

Accrual will be random, with no bias as to gender or racial/ethnic group. Because the
accrual process will be random, it is possible that there may be differences in the
proportion of males and females, and racial/ethnic groups among the study individuals. All
subjects will be concurrently participating in behavioral therapy programs run by Dr.
Beeder's clinical team. Each case will be reviewed with the Eligibility Committee,
comprised of three investigators other than the PI, to determine eligibility. The Principal
Investigator will not participate in this process.

All subjects must fulfill all inclusion criteria and none of the exclusion criteria in
order to participate in this study.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. All subjects should be able to provide informed consent.

2. Must provide HIV informed consent.

3. Males and females, 21- 69 years of age.

4. Individuals that have been diagnosed with a cocaine use disorder according to DSM-V-TR
criteria, with documented evidence of cocaine use within the past 60 days and have
previously used an average of 1 to 10 grams of powdered and/or crack cocaine (via
insufflation or smoking only) per week. Any prior 1 to 4 month period of cocaine
abstinence in the past year will be excluded when calculating average cocaine use to
evaluate study eligibility.

6. Fertile males and females must agree to use adequate forms of contraception for the
duration of the entire study.

7. Body weight > 45 kg.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Individuals not deemed in good overall health by the investigator.

2. Diagnosed history of severe psychotic disorders.

3. Abnormal EKG at screening with changes consistent with cardiac disease.

4. History of significant cardiovascular disease, hypertension, prior myocardial
infarction and/or cerebrovascular event.

5. Individuals who are currently on beta-blockers.

6. Physical signs or laboratory values suggestive of systemic disorders.

7. History of attempted suicide, as assessed by Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale
(C-SSRS) and/or committed homicide.

8. History of diagnosed obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

9. Known allergy to soy.

10. Individuals who are currently taking alprazolam (Xanax) or ziprasidone (Geodon).

11. Evidence of active infection of any types, or positive for human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV).

12. Historical or current use of immunomodulators or immunosuppressants <5 years prior to
screening.

13. Receipt of blood within 3 months of screening.

14. Females who are pregnant or nursing.

15. Concurrent participation in any other FDA approved Investigational New Drug.

16. Abnormal liver function (transaminases greater than 2x the upper limit of normal
values)

17. eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2

18. Severe substance use disorder based on DSM-V-TR criteria (excluding cocaine, nicotine,
caffeine, alcohol, marijuana and opiates prescribed for medication assisted therapy or
pain treatment) currently not in remission according to one of the following criteria:

- Early Full Remission: This specifier is used if none of the criteria for
Dependence or Abuse have been met for at least 1 month, but less than 12 months
OR

- Early Partial Remission: This specifier is used if only one or more (but not all)
of the criteria for Dependence or Abuse has/have been met for at least 1 month,
but less than 12 months. OR

- Sustained Full Remission: This specifier is used if none of the criteria for
Dependence or Abuse have been met at any time during a period of 12 months or
longer OR

- Sustained Partial Remission: This specifier is used if only one or more (but not
all) of the criteria for Dependence or Abuse has/have been met for a period of 12
months or longer OR

- On Agonist Therapy: This specifier is used if the individual is on a prescribed
agonist medication, and none of the criteria for Dependence or Abuse has been met
for that class of medication for at least the past month (except tolerance to, or
withdrawal from, the agonist). This category also applies to those being treated
for Dependence using a partial agonist or an agonist/antagonist OR

- Substance Use Related Disorder (mild) up to two disorders: Patients that are
assessed to have mild substance-use-related disorders according to the DSM-V
criteria will be allowed to participate in the study as long as the number of the
disorder-resulting substances does not exceed two (with the exception of the
nicotine, caffeine, alcohol, marijuana and opiates prescribed for medication
assisted therapy or pain treatment).

19. History of any seizure disorder.

20. Individuals with history of Guillain-Barré Syndrome.

21. Diagnosis of >2 Substance Use Related Disorders (mild) based on DSM-V- TR criteria
(excluding nicotine, caffeine, alcohol, marijuana and opiates prescribed for
medication assisted therapy or pain treatment

22. On a prescribed agonist medication, with criteria for dependence or abuse for that
class ofmedication for at least the past month (except tolerance to, or withdrawal
from, the agonist