AdFalciVax – First Indigenous Two-Stage Malaria Vaccine
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: DD news
Context: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is developing AdFalciVax, India’s first indigenous two-stage malaria vaccine, to combat Plasmodium falciparum using a novel multistage antigen design.
About AdFalciVax – First Indigenous Two-Stage Malaria Vaccine:
• What it is?
• AdFalciVax is a recombinant, chimeric malaria vaccine candidate targeting Plasmodium falciparum. It combines antigens from two lifecycle stages to provide dual protection.
• AdFalciVax is a recombinant, chimeric malaria vaccine candidate targeting Plasmodium falciparum.
• It combines antigens from two lifecycle stages to provide dual protection.
• Developed by:
• Jointly developed by ICMR, RMRC-Bhubaneswar, NIMR, and DBT-NII. Production uses Lactococcus lactis, a safe food-grade bacterium platform.
• Jointly developed by ICMR, RMRC-Bhubaneswar, NIMR, and DBT-NII.
• Production uses Lactococcus lactis, a safe food-grade bacterium platform.
• Objective:
• To prevent malaria infection at the individual level and break the transmission chain within communities. It aims to provide immunity against both liver-stage infection and mosquito-stage transmission of Plasmodium falciparum.
• To prevent malaria infection at the individual level and break the transmission chain within communities.
• It aims to provide immunity against both liver-stage infection and mosquito-stage transmission of Plasmodium falciparum.
• Key Features:
• Dual-stage immunity: Targets both pre-erythrocytic and sexual stages, blocking infection and halting spread. Extended stability: Remains functional at room temperature for over 9 months, aiding storage in tropical regions. Broader immune response: Combines multiple antigens to reduce immune evasion and improve long-term protection. Scalable production: Uses Lactococcus lactis, a food-grade bacterium, making it safe and cost-efficient to manufacture. Licensable model: ICMR will allow non-exclusive licensing, encouraging domestic and global production partnerships.
• Dual-stage immunity: Targets both pre-erythrocytic and sexual stages, blocking infection and halting spread.
• Extended stability: Remains functional at room temperature for over 9 months, aiding storage in tropical regions.
• Broader immune response: Combines multiple antigens to reduce immune evasion and improve long-term protection.
• Scalable production: Uses Lactococcus lactis, a food-grade bacterium, making it safe and cost-efficient to manufacture.
• Licensable model: ICMR will allow non-exclusive licensing, encouraging domestic and global production partnerships.
• Significance:
• Positions India as a leader in indigenous vaccine innovation for tropical diseases. Supports India’s Malaria Elimination Roadmap (by 2030) and Make in India drive. Potentially reduces malaria-related deaths, especially in endemic tribal belts.
• Positions India as a leader in indigenous vaccine innovation for tropical diseases.
• Supports India’s Malaria Elimination Roadmap (by 2030) and Make in India drive.
• Potentially reduces malaria-related deaths, especially in endemic tribal belts.