The University of Oxford and ReciBioPharm, Recipharm's Advanced Biologics division, have expanded their strategic collaboration to manufacture two blood-stage malaria vaccine candidates for Phase 1/2 clinical trials. The partnership will advance R78C and RH5.1 vaccine candidates, marking the sixth malaria vaccine delivered under their alliance that began in 2016.
Manufacturing Scale-Up for Clinical Trials
ReciBioPharm is providing comprehensive manufacturing services including drug substance, drug product, and large-scale fill and finish expertise for both vaccine candidates. The company initially produced both drug substance and drug product for R78C and is now handling large-scale fill and finish activities to meet increased vial demand for ongoing trials.
RH5.1, which was previously manufactured by another Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO), is now being fully produced by ReciBioPharm, including all drug substance, drug product, and large-scale fill and finish operations. These manufacturing efforts will support the University's Draper Lab, based at the Department of Paediatrics.
Addressing Global Malaria Burden
The collaboration targets a significant global health challenge. According to the World Health Organisation's World Malaria Report 2023, there were an estimated 249 million cases of malaria worldwide in 2022, resulting in 608,000 deaths. Children under 5 accounted for 76% of all malaria deaths in the WHO African Region.
"This collaboration with ReciBioPharm has been instrumental in accelerating the development of our malaria vaccine portfolio," said Simon Draper, Professor of Vaccinology and Translational Medicine at the University of Oxford, and Group Leader of the Draper Lab. "With numerous malaria vaccine candidates now developed or in active development, this partnership plays a critical role in advancing innovative solutions aimed at reducing the global burden of malaria, and supports our shared mission to eradicate malaria altogether."
Strategic Partnership Evolution
The long-standing collaboration has delivered five vaccine candidates since 2016 and demonstrates the partnership's commitment to advancing malaria vaccine development from laboratory to clinical testing. Greg Behar, CEO of Recipharm, emphasized the company's manufacturing capabilities in supporting vaccine development.
"We're proud to deepen our collaboration with the University of Oxford on such a critical global health challenge," Behar said. "Our ability to deliver drug substance and drug product for larger scales under GMP conditions makes us a strong partner for accelerating vaccine candidates from lab to clinic. Together, we're advancing science with the potential to save millions of lives."
Clinical Development Focus
The Draper Lab has undertaken 25 proof-of-concept Phase 1/2 clinical trials assessing novel vaccine delivery platforms and immunisation regimens. The group has developed controlled human malaria infection models for Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, and tested novel blood-stage malaria vaccine antigens including PfRH5 for P. falciparum and PvDBP_RII for P. vivax.
The expanded partnership between Oxford and ReciBioPharm represents a continued commitment to innovation and scientific excellence in global health, with the ultimate goal of malaria elimination through effective vaccine development and manufacturing capabilities.
