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NIAID's LMIV Spearheads Development of Novel Malaria Vaccines Targeting Transmission

• The Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology (LMIV) is leading efforts in developing malaria vaccines, focusing on reducing severe disease and eliminating malaria in low-transmission areas. • LMIV's research spans basic discovery to product development, facilitating rapid translation of ideas into clinical trials, with a focus on understanding human immunity and responses to infection. • The lab's leading transmission-blocking vaccine candidate, Pfs230D1, is currently in a phase 2 clinical trial in Mali, with plans for further trials across West Africa. • Malaria remains a significant global health burden, with over 200 million cases and 400,000 deaths annually, emphasizing the need for effective vaccines to complement existing control measures.

The Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology (LMIV), a division of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), is at the forefront of developing innovative malaria vaccines aimed at curbing transmission and reducing the global burden of this deadly disease. With malaria causing over 200 million clinical cases and 400,000 deaths each year, particularly affecting pregnant women and children in Africa, the need for effective vaccination strategies is critical as progress using existing measures has stalled.

LMIV's Integrated Approach to Vaccine Development

LMIV employs an integrated approach, combining basic research on malaria pathogenesis and immunology with vaccine development. This structure allows for the efficient progression of vaccine candidates from initial concept to clinical trials. The lab's Vaccine Development Unit operates with a focus on antigen selection, vaccine process development, manufacturing, preclinical animal modeling, and clinical trials.

Transmission-Blocking Vaccine: Pfs230D1

LMIV is a global leader in transmission-blocking vaccine (TBV) development. Their leading TBV candidate, Pfs230D1, is currently undergoing a phase 2 clinical trial in malaria-endemic communities in Mali to evaluate its safety and functional activity. This trial is part of a broader effort to test TBVs across West Africa, in collaboration with partners from the Netherlands, Denmark, Mali, Burkina Faso, Liberia, and Guinea.

Malaria Vaccine Strategies

Malaria vaccines target different stages of the Plasmodium life cycle. These include:
  • Pre-erythrocytic vaccines: Aim to prevent sporozoite invasion into the liver.
  • Blood-stage vaccines: Target asexual parasite forms that cause clinical illness.
  • Mosquito-stage vaccines: Block parasite development in the mosquito, preventing further transmission.
LMIV's overarching goal is to develop malaria vaccines that will reduce severe disease and death among African children and pregnant women and eliminate malaria from low-transmission areas of the world. By focusing on both basic research and product development, LMIV is working to translate scientific discoveries into effective tools for combating malaria.
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Reference News

[1]
Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology
niaid.nih.gov · Apr 30, 2020

Malaria causes over 200 million cases and 400,000 deaths annually, with African children and pregnant women at highest r...

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