Multi-Stage Malaria Vaccine Consortium (MMVC): A four-strike vaccine against malaria

The malaria parasite has a complex life cycle, spanning mosquitoes and humans. When injected into the bloodstream following the bite of an infected mosquito, it first invades and multiplies within liver cells, before seeking refuge and multiplying again in red blood cells. When these burst, parasites circulating in the bloodstream can be taken up by a feeding mosquito.

Although only a single cell, the parasite is a master of disguise, adopting entirely different forms at different stages of its life cycle. Malaria vaccine developers typically focus on one specific stage of the life cycle. The only licensed malaria vaccine, RTS,S, targets the initial human stage, to prevent liver infection. However, a vaccine targeting the final bloodstream stage could block transmission to mosquitoes.

The four-stage vaccine will include a next-generation version of RTS,S, known as R21; a liver-stage vaccine that has shown positive results in EDCTP-funded trials; a promising vaccine targeting a key protein involved in red blood cell invasion, PfRH5; and a vaccine targeting a key protein in the final bloodstream form, Pfs25.

Results from a series of controlled human infection studies – using new capacity in Africa – and pilot trials will inform the design of an appropriate vaccination strategy. This will be tested in a phase II trial in infants in sites of different levels of malaria transmission. The project will also build capacity to test the vaccine in adults as a possible way of blocking transmission to mosquitoes in malaria elimination campaigns.

European vaccine initiative MMVC detailsEDCTP Portfolio Malaria details

Product Development
Vaccines (Immune Correlates)

Apr 2018 — Sep 2023

$18.48M

Burkina Faso
France
India
Kenya
Sierra Leone
Sweden
Tanzania
The Netherlands
United Kingdom