A new malaria vaccine designed to stop the parasite in the liver.
Official title: A genetically modified Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite vaccine attenuated at the late-liver stage
Funded at Sanaria, INC. · NIH-11059169 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is developing an advanced malaria vaccine to protect people from infection, especially in regions where malaria is common.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sanaria, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rockville, United States) |
| Project start | April 21, 2020 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $999,150 |
| NIH project number | 5R44AI149927-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11059169 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be individuals, especially infants and young children in malaria-prone regions like Africa, who are at high risk of Plasmodium falciparum malaria infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk of malaria infection or who have already developed immunity would not directly benefit from this vaccine.
What this research studies
Malaria continues to cause millions of cases and hundreds of thousands of deaths each year, particularly in Africa, highlighting the urgent need for better protection. While some vaccines exist, they don't fully prevent infection or severe forms of the disease. This project is creating an advanced malaria vaccine using a modified form of the parasite that is weakened to prevent it from causing illness. This new vaccine aims to stop the malaria parasite in a later stage of its development within the liver, which could lead to more complete and lasting protection against infection.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this vaccine could provide stronger and more complete protection against malaria, preventing infection and reducing severe illness and deaths, especially in vulnerable populations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous versions of Sanaria's PfSPZ vaccines have shown high efficacy in preventing Plasmodium falciparum infection.
Where this research is happening
-
Sanaria, INC.
Rockville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sim, B. Kim Lee — Sanaria, INC.
- Study coordinator: Sim, B. Kim Lee
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.