AdFalciVax

AdFalciVax : Recently, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) invited domestic vaccine manufacturers to collaborate on the commercial rollout of its newly developed malaria vaccine, AdFalciVax.

• About AdFalciVax : A next-generation vaccine developed using recombinant DNA technology to elicit a strong immune response.

o Dual Protein Targets: It expresses two key proteins of the malaria parasite, aiming for enhanced protection compared to current vaccines that target only parasite fragments.

o Full-Length CSP Gene: The vaccine includes the complete gene for the circumsporozoite protein (CSP), a major surface protein of Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest malaria parasite. This is expected to generate a more robust and long-lasting immune response.

o Transmission Blocking Component: AdFalciVax also includes a second component aimed at disrupting the parasite's lifecycle within the mosquito, thereby reducing community-level transmission.

o The vaccine has been developed by the ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC), Bhubaneswar.

• Current WHO-approved Vaccines: Existing vaccines like RTS,S/AS01 (Mosquirix) and R21/Matrix-M mainly target Plasmodium falciparum, the most lethal malaria parasite.
• India’s Dual Burden: India faces a significant malaria burden not only from P. falciparum but also from Plasmodium vivax, which is known for causing recurring infections.

o Upcoming versions of AdFalciVax may aim to broaden protection to include other malaria-causing parasites such as P. vivax, P. malariae, P. ovale, and the zoonotic P. knowlesi.