India Launches Indigenous Multi-Stage Malaria Vaccine
India has recently licensed multiple pharmaceutical companies to manufacture and commercialise its first indigenous multi-stage malaria vaccine. Developed by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and its partners, the vaccine targets the malaria parasite before it enters the bloodstream. It offers a stable, affordable, and scalable solution effective for over nine months at room temperature. This breakthrough aims to reduce malaria transmission and burden in India and beyond.
Development and Technology Transfer
The vaccine, named AdFalciVax, is a recombinant chimeric multi-stage vaccine against *Plasmodium falciparum*. ICMR invited eligible companies for ‘Transfer of Technology’ to facilitate large-scale production and commercialisation. The ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre in Bhubaneswar led the technology development using *Lactococcus lactis* as the production platform. Pre-clinical validation was done in collaboration with the National Institute of Malaria Research and the National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi.
Vaccine Characteristics and Benefits
AdFalciVax prevents the parasite from entering the bloodstream, thus blocking infection and transmission. The vaccine is affordable and stable at room temperature for over nine months. This stability reduces cold chain dependency, making it suitable for remote and difficult regions. Its multi-stage design targets different parasite life cycle phases, improving efficacy.
Malaria Burden in India
India carries 1.4% of global malaria cases and 0.9% of global deaths. It accounts for 66% of malaria cases in Southeast Asia and 52% of malaria deaths outside sub-Saharan Africa. About 95% of India’s population lives in malaria-endemic zones. Most cases occur in tribal and hard-to-reach areas, where 20% of the population resides. This vaccine could reduce disease burden in these vulnerable communities.
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