AdFalciVax – The Initial Indigenous Two-Part Malaria Vaccine

What does it mean?

AdFalciVax is a chimeric, recombinant vaccine candidate for malaria aimed at Plasmodium falciparum.

It merges antigens from two different lifecycle phases to offer dual defense.

Created by:

Collaboratively created by ICMR, RMRC-Bhubaneswar, NIMR, and DBT-NII.

Lactococcus lactis, a safe bacterium suitable for food, is utilized in production.

Aim:

To avert malaria infection for individuals and disrupt the transmission chain in communities.

It seeks to offer protection against both liver-stage infection and mosquito-stage spread of Plasmodium falciparum.

Main Characteristics:

Dual-phase immunity: Focuses on pre-erythrocytic and sexual phases, preventing infection and stopping transmission.

Prolonged stability: Functions effectively at room temperature for more than 9 months, facilitating storage in hot climates.

Wider immune reaction: Integrates various antigens to diminish immune evasion and enhance prolonged defense.

Scalable manufacturing: Utilizes Lactococcus lactis, a safe food-grade bacterium, ensuring it is economical and secure to produce.

Licensable model: ICMR will permit non-exclusive licensing, promoting both domestic and international production collaborations.

Importance:

Establishes India as a frontrunner in homegrown vaccine development for tropical illnesses.

Backs India’s Malaria Elimination Plan (by 2030) and Make in India initiative.

May decrease deaths due to malaria, particularly in endemic tribal regions.