Milestone in Malaria Vaccine Development

Collaboration Overview

• The University of Oxford and Serum Institute of India (SII) have entered a license agreement to develop a multi-stage malaria vaccine, R78C.
• This effort aims to enhance malaria vaccine outcomes by targeting different stages of the parasite lifecycle.

Vaccine Details

• R78C Vaccine: Based on two Plasmodium falciparum blood-stage antigens – RIPR and CyPRA.
• Aims to provide stronger and longer-lasting protection against malaria.

Significance of the Agreement

• Enables SII to support the vaccine's development, large-scale manufacture, and potential commercialisation.
• Advances efforts in making vaccines accessible to populations most in need.

Statements from Key Figures

• Professor Simon Draper emphasized the importance of combining multiple antigens for better protection.
• SII Executive Director, Dr. Umesh Shaligram, highlighted the focus on making vaccines effective and accessible.

Impact and Broader Context

• Equitable Access: Collaboration focuses on making vaccines affordable for low and middle-income countries.
• Part of a broader ecosystem of collaborations for novel malaria vaccines development.
• Malaria remains a significant global health challenge with millions of cases annually, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa.

Additional Partnerships

• SII has partnered with ExpreS2ion for the ExpreS2 expression platform, aiding clinical-stage production of vaccine components.