The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), through its Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar (RMRCBB) and National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR), in partnership with the Department of Biotechnology-National Institute of Immunology (DBT-NII), is currently developing a novel recombinant chimeric malaria vaccine candidate, named AdFalciVax.
AdFalciVax is the
first indigenous recombinant chimeric malaria vaccine specifically designed to
target two critical stages of Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite responsible
for the most lethal form of malaria.
The vaccine aims to
protect against human infection while also reducing vector-borne community
transmission of the parasite.
According to the
release, the vaccine has demonstrated excellent efficacy in the preclinical
stage of development. Preclinical data suggest that AdFalciVax may have
advantages over existing single-stage vaccines, including broader protection by
targeting two vulnerable parasite stages, lower risk of immune evasion,
potential for better long-term immunity, and extended thermal stability with
functionality maintained for over nine months at room temperature.
AdFalciVax is a
recombinant multistage vaccine produced in Lactococcus lactis, designed to
protect both individual humans and reduce the community transmission cycle.
It represents one of
the most advanced malaria vaccine candidates globally, with a rational design
targeting two key stages of the parasite. This vaccine consists of a stable and
functional recombinant chimaera between antigenic components that promises dual
protection.
ICMR intends to
license the technology for AdFalciVax to eligible organisations and
manufacturers for further development, manufacture, and commercialisation under
non-exclusive agreements.
This approach aims to
enable wider outreach and maximise public health benefits. All collaborations
will adhere to ICMR's Intellectual Property Policy.
As an indigenously
developed vaccine candidate that fulfils the Make in India mandate, AdFalciVax
holds the potential to contribute substantially to malaria eradication by
preventing infection and minimising community transmission.
This information is
provided for awareness purposes only. The vaccine candidate is in its early
research and development phases and is not yet available for any clinical use
or commercialisation.
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