Check your eligibility now & get in touch with a study center

CHECK ELIGIBILITY

Check your eligibility now & get in touch with a study center

CHECK ELIGIBILITY

Check your eligibility now & get in touch with a study center

CHECK ELIGIBILITY

Check your eligibility now & get in touch with a study center

CHECK ELIGIBILITY

Check your eligibility now & get in touch with a study center

CHECK ELIGIBILITY

Do you have troublesome acne? 

Are you between the ages of 18 – 45?

Young Asian woman having acne inflammation occur on her face - © Getty Images

Familly, Donna (Grandmother), Ambur (Mother) and Brandon (Father) playing with Carina in playroom

Inflammatory acne - © Adobe Stock

What is acne?

Acne is a common skin condition that occurs when pilosebaceous units (tiny pockets in your skin where sebum is produced and hair grows out of) become clogged.

 

A specific type of bacteria called Cutibacterium acnes (or C. acnes for short) plays a big role in causing acne. Because of this, we are looking for ways to target this bacteria to help treat acne. 

What is the study vaccine?

Currently, there are no approved vaccines for the treatment of acne. The study vaccine is experimental, meaning it is still being tested, so it's only available in the form clinical studies. 

 

Here’s how it might work: Your body has a natural defense system against germs, such as viruses or bacteria, called the immune system. Vaccines train your immune system to fight specific germs. They usually contain harmless pieces of the germ (called antigens) that trigger your body to produce protective proteins, called antibodies.  The vaccine may train your body to produce antibodies against the C. acnes bacteria, particularly the ones related to acne. 

Study Details

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Participants

Approximately 260 adults between 18-45 years of age

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Duration & visits
  • Approximately 8 months
  • Up to 14 onsite study visits
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Locations

Approximately 100 sites

What can you expect during the study? 

At your appointments, we'll do several checks to monitor your health. 

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A physical exam

including an evaluation of the acne on your face along with photographs

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An ECG test

a simple, painless test that checks your heart's electrical activity using electrodes placed on your skin

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Blood and urine tests

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Review of questionnaires

electronic diary or printed

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Discussions

about acne treatments before, during and after vaccination

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Injections

We'll be testing three different strengths of the vaccine: a low dose, a medium dose and a high dose.  You will receive two injections about two (2) months apart, either: 

  • Two (2) injections of the study vaccine (at one of the strengths) 

OR

  • Two (2) injections of the placebo 
Can I Participate?

FAQs: Frequently asked questions:

What is a placebo?

A placebo looks like the medicine being tested and is also given in the same way as the medication that is being studied, but it does not have any medicine in it. You have a 3 in 4 chance (75%) of receiving the study vaccine.

Is there a cost to participate? 

There is no cost to participate. All study-related exams, study-related medications and study-related medical care are provided. There is no insurance required to take part in this study. You may be compensated for time and travel. 

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Version 1.0, Approved 04/2025