Could a pill protect babies from stomach bugs? new vaccine trial in moms
NCT ID NCT07254728
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This early-stage trial tested an oral norovirus vaccine in 76 healthy breastfeeding mothers to see if it is safe and can trigger immune responses in both mom and her breastmilk. The vaccine is taken as a tablet and targets two common norovirus strains. Researchers hope that antibodies passed through breastmilk could protect nursing infants from severe stomach infections.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- oral bivalent norovirus vaccine (GI.1 and GII.4 strains)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could help protect infants from norovirus through their mother's breastmilk, potentially reducing severe diarrhea in babies.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early phase 1 trial with only 76 participants, so it's mainly checking safety. It may not show strong immune responses or lead to a licensed vaccine.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 1
The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.
- Participants
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76 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Oct 2023
- Finished
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Dec 2024
- Lead sponsor
-
A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 years and older
- Sex
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Female participants only
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Lactating females aged ≥ 18 years at the time of enrolment and their breastfed infants aged \>30 days to 11 months of age at the time of the participants' study drug administration. 2. In stable and good general health, without significant medical illness, based on medical history, physical examination (including vital signs), and clinical judgment of the investigator. 3. Lactating females willing and able to provide informed consent which includes compliance with the requirements and restrictions listed in the informed consent form (ICF) and in the protocol. 4. Lactating females who are willing to provide consent for their breastfed infant. 5. Negative pregnancy tests at screening and prior to dose on Day 1. 6. Available for all planned visits and tele-health appointments, and ability to comply with all study-related evaluations (including but not limited to having the ability and willingness to swallow multiple small enteric-coated tablets per study dose, express/pump breastmilk, and collect infant stool samples). 7. Plan to continue breastfeeding as the main source of the infant's nutrition for at least 1 month (longer is preferred with goal of 6 months post dose if possible) from the time of study drug administration. Exclusive breastfeeding is acceptable but not necessary. 8. The nursing infant is the product of a singleton pregnancy AND does not have any of the following: 1. Any abnormality that may interfere with breastfeeding or milk absorption 2. Active infection (may be included if the infection resolves and the participant is re-assessed during the screening period) 3. Infant has any other medical condition or abnormality that, in the opinion of the investigator, could compromise the infant's appropriate inclusion in this study including interference with the interpretation of study results (such as malabsorption) 4. One or more documented brief resolved unexplained events (BRUEs) 5. Extreme prematurity (infants who were born at less than 28 weeks gestation) 6. 30 days of age or less at the participant's study drug administration OR greater than 11 months of age at the participant's study drug administration 7. Prior hospitalization that is not exclusively for hyperbilirubinemia requiring phototherapy 8. Any genetic/metabolic disease 9. Any chronic illness requiring long term medication 9. Participants must be willing to use a highly effective form of contraception for 30 days prior to vaccination and until 60 days after the vaccination. Acceptable forms are oral, implantable, intrauterine, transdermal, intravaginal, injectable, double barrier or abstinence (participants using diaphragms must also use condom). The form of contraception must be approved by the investigator. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Presence of a fever ≥ 38.0°C measured orally at baseline, on Day 1 prior to vaccination. (Assessment may be repeated once during screening period). 2. Acute disease within 72 hours prior to vaccination, defined as the presence of a moderate or severe illness (as determined by the Investigator through medical history and physical exam). (Assessment may be repeated once during screening period). 3. Participants who have received antipyretic/analgesic medications within 24 hours prior to the intended vaccine administration. 4. Positive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), or hepatitis C virus (HCV) tests at the screening visit. 5. History of hypersensitivity or allergic reaction to any component of the investigational vaccine, including but not limited to fish gelatin. 6. History of serious reactions to vaccination such as anaphylaxis, respiratory problems, hives, or abdominal pain. 7. Presence of significant uncontrolled medical or psychiatric illness (acute or chronic) including the institution of new medical/surgical treatment or significant dose alteration for uncontrolled symptoms or drug toxicity within 3 months of screening and reconfirmed at baseline. 8. History of significant pregnancy-related complications during this pregnancy, including but not limited to pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, or gestational diabetes unless a full resolution is documented. 9. Cancer, or treatment for cancer, within the past 3 years (excluding fully treated and resolved basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma). 10. Presence of immunosuppression or medical condition possibly associated with impaired immune responsiveness, including diabetes mellitus type 1 or 2. 11. History of irritable bowel disease or other inflammatory digestive or gastrointestinal condition that could affect the distribution/safety evaluation of an orally administered vaccine targeting the mucosa of the small intestine. Such conditions may include but are not limited to: a. Any history of: i. Malignancy ii. Malabsorption iii. Pancreatobiliary disorders iv. Inflammatory bowel disease v. Irritable bowel disease vi. Hiatal hernia vii. Surgical resection b. History of diagnosis or treatment in past 5 years of: i. Esophageal or gastric motility disorder ii. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) - Will allow for participants with a history of pregnancy-related GERD if fully resolved for \>3 months and no other history of GERD diagnosis iii. Peptic ulcer iv. Cholecystectomy 12. Any condition that resulted in the absence or removal of the spleen. 13. History of any form of angioedema. 14. Diagnosed bleeding disorder or significant bruising or bleeding difficulties that could make blood draws problematic. 15. History of GI bleeding including hematochezia (blood in stool) or melena (black stool). 16. Any significant hospitalization within the last year which in the opinion of the investigator or sponsor could interfere with study participation. 17. Any of the following history or conditions that may lead to a higher risk of clotting events and/or thrombocytopenia: 1. Family or personal history of bleeding or thrombosis 2. History of heparin-related thrombotic events, and/or receiving heparin treatments 3. History of autoimmune or inflammatory disease 4. Presence of any of the following conditions known to increase the risk of thrombosis within 6 months prior to screening: i. Recent surgery other than fully healed cesarean delivery or excision/ biopsy of cutaneous lesions ii. Immobility (confined to bed or wheelchair for 3 or more successive days) iii. Head trauma with loss of consciousness or documented brain injury iv. Receipt of anticoagulants for prophylaxis of thrombosis v. Recent clinically significant infection including hospitalization for COVID-19 related illness 18. Any other condition that, in the clinical judgment of the investigator, would jeopardize the safety or rights of a participant taking in the study, would render the participant unable to comply with the protocol, or would interfere with the evaluation of the study endpoints. 19. Receipt of a licensed vaccine (including any COVID-19 vaccines under Emergency Use Authorization) within 14 days prior to study drug dose or planned administration during the study active period. 20. Use of antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors, H2 blockers, or antacids within 7 days prior to study drug administration or planned use during the active study period. 21. Use of medications known to affect the immune function (including but not limited to systemic corticosteroids, leukotriene modifiers, and Janus kinase \[JAK\] inhibitors) within 2 weeks before study drug administration or planned use during the active study period. 22. Daily use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs within 7 days prior to study drug administration or planned use during the active study period. 23. Donation or receipt of blood or blood products within 30 days prior to study drug administration or planned donation during the active study period. 24. Participating in any clinical trial with another investigational product within 30 days prior to the first trial visit or intend to participate in another clinical trial at any time during the conduct of this trial. 25. Are first-degree relatives of individuals involved in trial conduct. 26. Positive urine drug screen for drugs of abuse at screening. 27. Positive alcohol test at screening or baseline. 28. History of drug, alcohol, or chemical abuse within 1 year of screening.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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FCRN Clinical Trials Centre (Pty) Ltd
Vereeniging, 1935, South Africa
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Newtown Clinical Research Centre
Johannesburg, 2001, South Africa
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Progress Clinical Research Unit
Honeydew, 2040, South Africa
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Trident Clinical
Kimberley, 8301, South Africa
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WITS RHI Research Centre
Hillbrow, 2001, South Africa
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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