Malaria Burden and New Hope
- Malaria kills ~400,000 globally per year, with India contributing significantly despite sharp recent declines.
- ICMR announces a promising candidate vaccine (AfaDixVax) for Plasmodium falciparum, to be co-developed with private players for commercial use.
- Though P. falciparum is more lethal, India’s cases are largely due to P. vivax, against which AfaDixVax is ineffective.
Relevance : GS 2(Health , Governance )
Declining Trend in India (1995–2022)
- Reported malaria cases dropped from 2.93 million (1995) to just 0.18 million (2022).
- Deaths fell drastically from 1,151 (1995) to just 83 (2022).
- These improvements are due to enhanced surveillance by NVBDCP and WHO support, though real numbers may be underreported.
What is AfaDixVax and Why it Matters
- Targets two P. falciparum proteins (PfCSP and Pf34/Pf48.5) using the PfCo6 protein strategy to prevent liver-stage infection.
- Demonstrated 90%+ protection in mice for over three months—translating to nearly a decade in humans, per ICMR.
- Early animal studies show robust, longer-lasting immunity, better than other vaccines.
Adjuvant & Safety Advantage
- Contains alum as adjuvant—widely used in childhood vaccines, safe and avoids chronic inflammation risks.
- Compared to WHO-approved RTS,S and R21, AfaDixVax:
- Does not rely on CSP protein, reducing breakthrough infection risk.
- Induces stronger protection in pre-clinical models.
- Can be stored at room temperature for months, potentially solving cold chain challenges.
Production, IP, and Commercial Path
- ICMR will develop and test the vaccine, and partner with industry for manufacturing and commercial rollout.
- IP rights will be jointly held by ICMR and the partner, but ICMR retains all data and rights for non-commercial use.
Global Context & India’s Role
- Malaria is most endemic in Africa, but India’s innovation may help global fight, especially with scalable, heat-stable vaccines.
- AfaDixVax adds to India’s growing role in global health innovation, vaccine self-reliance, and public-private partnership models.
