ICMR to Commercialise Indigenous Malaria Vaccine

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has taken a major step in public health innovation by initiating the process to commercialise a recombinant multi-stage malaria vaccine, AdFalciVax. ICMR has released an Expression of Interest (EoI) inviting pharmaceutical companies and manufacturers to collaborate in transferring the technology and mass-producing the vaccine, aiming to tackle Plasmodium falciparum, the most deadly malaria parasite in humans.

About the Vaccine: AdFalciVax

• AdFalciVax is being developed by ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar (ICMR-RMRCBB).
• It is designed to target Plasmodium falciparum, responsible for severe and fatal malaria.
• The vaccine also aims to reduce community transmission of the parasite.
• It is a recombinant multi-stage vaccine, covering multiple phases of the parasite’s lifecycle.

Commercialisation and Tech Transfer

• ICMR has invited Expressions of Interest (EoI) from eligible companies for technology transfer and production.
• Selected partners will receive expert guidance and technical support from ICMR-RMRCBB during all stages of development.
• This collaborative approach is expected to accelerate vaccine availability and bridge the gap between research and application.

Development Timeline

• The total development is expected to span at least 7 years, broken into 4 stages.
• Each stage includes a 6-month buffer to accommodate any unforeseen delays.

Significance

India reports a large burden of malaria cases, especially from Plasmodium falciparum in tribal and underdeveloped regions. An indigenously developed vaccine can improve accessibility, affordability, and reduce dependence on global vaccine suppliers. It also aligns with India’s public health goal to eliminate malaria by 2030.