(GIST OF SCIENCE REPORTER) ADFALCIVAX

(AUGUST-2025)

India is developing an Indigenous Multi-Stage Malaria Vaccine named AdFalciVax.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) through its RMRC, Bhubaneswar, in collaboration with NIMR and DBT NII is developing a novel recombinant chimeric multi-stage malaria vaccine, named AdFalciVax.
AdFalciVax is designed to target two critical stages of Plasmodium falciparum the pre-erythrocytic (liver) stage and the sexual (transmission) stage thus, aiming to both protect individuals and curtail community transmission.
Promising preclinical results show high efficacy in animal models, alongside potential long-term immunity and reduced immune evasion risks.
The vaccine uses Lactococcus lactis as a production platform food-grade and scalable and the formulation retains stability at room temperature for over nine months, easing logistics.

About Multi-Stage Malaria Vaccine – AdFalciVax

Vaccine Type: It is a chimeric recombinant vaccine, combining antigenic components from different stages of the malaria parasite to elicit a dual immune response.

Pre-erythrocytic (liver) stage: Using full-length CSP (circumsporozoite protein) to provide individual protection.
Sexual (transmission) stage: Incorporates a fusion of Pfs230 and Pfs48/45 (sometimes called Pro6C), designed to block parasite development in mosquitoes and halt transmission.
Platform: It employs safe alum adjuvant and scalable Lactococcus lactis production—a combination that enhances stability and safety.