Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Jul 20: In a significant breakthrough towards eliminating malaria, India has announced the development of AdFalciVax, a next-generation indigenous vaccine targeting Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest malaria parasite. The vaccine is a collaborative effort by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), working through its institutes RMRC Bhubaneswar and National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR), alongside the Department of Biotechnology’s National Institute of Immunology (DBT-NII).

What sets AdFalciVax apart is its dual-action capability. Unlike existing vaccines that focus on a single stage of the malaria parasite, AdFalciVax is designed to attack two critical phases — the stage that infects humans and the stage responsible for transmission through mosquitoes. This dual-targeting approach is expected to offer stronger and longer-lasting protection, making it a game changer in the global fight against the disease.

In preliminary laboratory trials, the vaccine has shown encouraging efficacy, raising hopes that it could outperform current global frontrunners like RTS, S/AS01 and R21/Matrix-M. Experts say AdFalciVax’s design makes it more resilient against parasite mutation, improves long-term immunity, and reduces the parasite’s chances of evading the immune system.

Adding to its advantages is its stability at room temperature for over nine months, a crucial factor for distribution in tropical regions where cold-chain infrastructure can be limited.

Moreover, the vaccine is formulated using alum, a cost-effective and widely accepted adjuvant in vaccine development, making it not only scientifically advanced but also economically viable.

The vaccine is currently in the preclinical stage, and scientists estimate it will take about seven years to reach public use, subject to successful clinical trials and regulatory approvals. The development pathway includes rigorous safety testing, large-scale manufacturing, and phased human trials.

A notable innovation in AdFalciVax’s development is the use of Lactococcus lactis, a harmless bacterium commonly used in vaccine research. This approach not only ensures safety but also supports efforts to reduce malaria transmission across entire communities.

Supporting the government’s ‘Make in India’ mission, AdFalciVax is being developed entirely within the country. The ICMR also plans to offer the vaccine technology to interested manufacturers under non-exclusive agreements, allowing multiple producers to fast-track its availability once approvals are secured.

As the world continues to combat infectious diseases, India’s AdFalciVax stands as a promising symbol of indigenous scientific progress and public health innovation.