Despite intensive control efforts over the past decade, malaria remains one of the most significant global public health threats, leading to substantial morbidity and mortality. Given the limitations of the currently most advanced malaria vaccine candidate (RTS,S, or Mosquirix), including low efficacy, a more effective second-generation malaria vaccine is needed that will probably encompass a multi-stage and multi-antigen approach, targeting several stages of the Plasmodium falciparum life cycle.
This project builds on the success of the previous GHIT-funded T2018-151 project and aims to further advance the development of a new asexual blood-stage malaria vaccine candidate, based on the PfRipr5 protein of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, discovered by researchers in Ehime University in collaboration with Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd., Japan.

The main objectives are to:
1. Establish a manufacturing process for PfRipr5 compliant with current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP)
2. Produce PfRipr5 for a safety-toxicology study
3. Perform a safety-toxicology study to evaluate PfRipr5 in formulation with the SA-1 adjuvant
4. Prepare the dossier for a first-in-human phase I/IIa clinical trial

Acronyms:
RH5 > (R)eticulocyte binding (H)omologue protein (5)​
PfRipr > (P.f R)h5‐(i)nteracting (p)rotein