ICMR has developed a new advanced recombinant multi-stage malaria vaccine named Adfalsvax, targeting multiple stages of the malaria parasite's life cycle using genetic technology.
The vaccine is currently in the primary testing phase, with ICMR inviting companies to partner for production and distribution, aiming to make the vaccine available soon in India.
Pune is among the regions that will benefit from this vaccine as India continues to battle about 2 million malaria cases annually, with Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district being one of the high-risk areas.
Pune, 11 August 2025: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has developed a new malaria vaccine called Adfalsvax. This recombinant multi-stage vaccine targets different stages of the malaria parasite’s life cycle simultaneously using advanced genetic technology.
Malaria, a deadly disease transmitted by the bite of female Anopheles mosquitoes infected with Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax parasites, causes symptoms like fever, chills, headache, body pain, nausea, and vomiting after about 10 to 15 days of infection. Severe cases can lead to weakness, breathing difficulties, brain complications, or even death. Currently, India does not have an available vaccine against malaria.
Pune, situated in Maharashtra, a state with regions like Gadchiroli facing a high number of malaria cases, stands to benefit significantly from this new vaccine. Every year, India reports approximately 2 million malaria cases and around 70 to 80 deaths, with Maharashtra being one of the affected states. If this vaccine becomes widely available, it could drastically reduce the disease’s spread.
The vaccine was developed at ICMR’s laboratory in Bhubaneswar. Primary trials have been completed, and the council is now inviting interested companies to enter into technology transfer agreements for production. These companies will receive detailed information about the vaccine's development process, components, production steps, quality control measures, and production plans.
Dr. Sushil Singh, a scientist in the Department of Biomedical Research and Development at Bhubaneswar, stated that the vaccine has completed its initial testing phase, and once produced, further clinical trials will be conducted before distribution both within India and internationally. However, this will take some time. Companies interested in collaborating on vaccine production are invited to apply by August 17.
This development is an important step towards controlling malaria in India, where cases have declined significantly due to improved treatments, from around 75 million cases and 800,000 deaths annually in 1947 to about 2 million cases and 83 deaths in 2023. The new vaccine could further accelerate this positive trend.