ICMR spearheads development of indigenous multi-stage Malaria vaccine 'AdFalciVax'

By Admin

21 Jul, 2025

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has taken a groundbreaking step in the global fight against malaria by spearheading the development of India’s first indigenous recombinant chimeric malaria vaccine   AdFalciVax. Designed to combat Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest malaria parasite, this novel vaccine marks a major scientific milestone under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

Targeting Two Critical Stages of Malaria

AdFalciVax stands apart as a multi-stage recombinant vaccine that is specifically engineered to target two vulnerable stages of Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite responsible for the most lethal form of malaria. This dual-target approach offers a broader shield of protection compared to existing single-stage vaccines, which often face limitations such as immune evasion and reduced long-term efficacy.

Collaborative Innovation

The vaccine is being developed through a strategic collaboration between ICMR’s Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar (RMRCBB) and the National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR), in partnership with the Department of Biotechnology–National Institute of Immunology (DBT-NII). This joint effort exemplifies India’s growing capacity in biotech innovation and indigenous vaccine research.

Promising Preclinical Advantages

Initial preclinical studies of AdFalciVax have shown highly promising results:

• Broader protection by targeting two parasite stages
  
  

• Reduced risk of immune evasion
  
  

• Potential for long-term immunity
  
  

• Extended thermal stability, with efficacy maintained for over nine months at room temperature
  
  

Such features place AdFalciVax among the most advanced malaria vaccine candidates globally, and reinforce its potential as a game-changer in malaria prevention.

Open Licensing for Public Health Impact

To accelerate its reach and impact, ICMR plans to license AdFalciVax to eligible manufacturers and organizations under non-exclusive agreements. All partnerships will be governed by ICMR’s Intellectual Property Policy, ensuring ethical collaboration while maximising public health outcomes.

Supporting Malaria Eradication in India

As a proud outcome of indigenous research, AdFalciVax aligns with the ‘Make in India’ initiative and offers hope for significantly reducing malaria infection and transmission across endemic regions. While still in the early phases of research and development, this vaccine holds transformative potential for malaria eradication efforts both in India and globally.