Accelerating Development of Vaccines for Malaria Elimination Using a Novel Clinical Target Validation Approach

Objectives

This project aims at supporting the evaluation of novel Pre-erythrocytic (PE) vaccine antigens. Evaluation of these antigens using conventional vaccine development approach is not financially feasible and is unlikely to lead to conclusive outcomes regarding target validation due to the high number of variables (e.g., delivery platform selection, adjuvant selection, variable immune responses, etc.).

The plan is to accelerate target validation for malaria vaccine development by employing a novel, translational research approach that uses mAbs—with demonstrated preclinical functional activity—in CHMI studies. This would enable validation of target antigens, and provide a critical reagent (i.e., protective mAb), prior to engaging in vaccine development efforts.

The concept is to generate monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed against a panel of PE antigens that are candidate targets of humoral immunity. These mAbs will be evaluated, via passive transfer studies, for their capacity to protect against parasite infection using the well-established CHMI model.