Multi-Stage Malaria Vaccine – AdFalciVax

News: India is developing a Multi-Stage Malaria Vaccine Candidate named AdFalciVax.

About Multi-Stage Malaria Vaccine – AdFalciVax

• It is a Multi-Stage Malaria Vaccine
• Developed by: Indian Council of Medical Research – ICMR, in partnership with the Department of Biotechnology-National Institute of Immunology (DBT-NII)
• Aim: The vaccine aims to provide protection against human infection while also reducing vector-borne community transmission of the parasite.
• Recombinant chimeric malaria vaccine: It 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.
• Significance: AdFalciVax holds the potential to contribute substantially toward malaria eradication by preventing infection and minimizing community transmission.
• Licencing: ICMR intends to license the technology for AdFalciVax to eligible organizations and manufacturers for further development, manufacture, and commercialization under non-exclusive agreements.
  • This approach aims to enable wider outreach and maximize public health benefits.

About Malaria

• It is caused by the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito (vector) if the mosquito itself is infected with a malarial parasite.
• Parasites: There are five kinds of malarial parasites — Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax (the commonest one), Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale, and Plasmodium knowlesi.
• After entering the human body, parasites initially multiply within the liver cells and then attack the Red Blood Cells (RBCs) resulting in their rupture.
• Symptoms: Symptoms of malaria include fever and flu-like illness, including shaking chills, headache, muscle aches, and tiredness.
  • But, it is preventable and curable.