mRNA malaria vaccine

An mRNA malaria vaccine is a vaccine platform that utilizes messenger RNA (mRNA) technology to encode specific antigens of the malaria-causing parasite, primarily *Plasmodium falciparum* or *Plasmodium vivax*, to induce protective immune responses. Unlike traditional protein subunit vaccines (such as RTS,S/AS01 or R21/Matrix-M), mRNA-based vaccines can encode full-length proteins or multiple antigens simultaneously, expanding the epitope range and potentially inducing more robust and durable antibody and T-cell responses. Key developers in this space include BioNTech (with its BNT165 program, including candidates like BNT165b1 and BNT165e), Moderna, and academic collaborations such as the Burnet Institute, Monash University, the University of Melbourne, and Victoria University of Wellington. These vaccines are designed to target various stages of the malaria parasite's life cycle, including sporozoites (e.g., targeting circumsporozoite protein, CSP) and merozoites, to prevent infection, clinical disease, and transmission.

Other names

malaria mRNA vaccinemRNA-based malaria vaccinemRNA malaria vaccine platform