PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Malaria Vaccine Development Program (MVDP), and Crucell have signed an agreement to accelerate development of a malaria vaccine.
Reportedly, with the funding from USAID MVDP, the partners will conduct studies to determine the effectiveness of Crucell’s novel vaccine approach against the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. This approach uses Crucell’s proprietary recombinant adenoviruses to deliver a malaria antigen to the immune system.
Crucell further said that this new collaboration will make it possible to clinically develop the Ad26 boost component of the vaccine, which will allow the company to further strengthen and expedite its malaria development program.
Christian Loucq, director at MVI, said: Adenoviruses are one of the most potent vaccine delivery systems tested to date in humans. We are excited about the potential of Crucell’s adenovirus-based program and the novel Ad35/Ad26 approach. The prime-boost regimen may be a critical next step in malaria vaccine development and, if successful would move us toward our goal of having an 80% efficacious vaccine in use by 2025.