India Goes Atmanirbhar in Malaria Vaccines with AdFalciVax
Context:
- The Union government has granted licences to five Indian pharmaceutical companies to manufacture and commercialise AdFalciVax, India’s first indigenous multi-stage malaria vaccine.
- Developed by ICMR, the vaccine represents a major milestone in India’s fight against malaria and a step forward in self-reliance in healthcare innovation.
1. About AdFalciVax – Multi-Stage Malaria Vaccine
- What it is: India’s first recombinant chimeric multi-stage malaria vaccine, designed to block both infection and transmission of Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest malaria parasite.
- Developed by:
- ICMR–Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC), Bhubaneswar
- Supported by ICMR–National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR) and National Institute of Immunology (NII), New Delhi
2. Objectives:
- Prevent malaria infection in individuals.
- Minimise community transmission, aiding India’s malaria elimination goals.
3. Key Features:
- Targets the parasite before it enters the bloodstream.
- Affordable, scalable, and stable, remaining effective for over nine months at room temperature.
- Multi-stage action ensures protection at both infection and transmission stages.
- Validated successfully in pre-clinical trials.
4. New Firms Licensed (2025):
- Indian Immunologicals Ltd
- Techinvention Lifecare Pvt. Ltd
- Panacea Biotec Ltd
- Biological E Ltd
- Zydus Lifesciences
5. Significance:
- India accounts for 1.4% of global malaria cases and 66% of Southeast Asia’s malaria burden.
- Supports Atmanirbhar Bharat by indigenising vaccine research and development.
- Reduces dependence on imported vaccines.
- Aligns with India’s National Malaria Elimination Programme.
Conclusion:
- AdFalciVax represents a critical advancement in India’s healthcare and scientific research.
- It combines innovation, affordability, and self-reliance, strengthening the nation’s capacity to prevent and eliminate malaria.
Source : The Hindu
