Advancing a New Malaria Vaccine

Progressing PfSPZ vaccines for malaria to licensure and commercialization

NIH-funded research Sanaria, INC. · NIH-11088910

This work aims to speed up the availability of a new vaccine designed to protect people from malaria infection and transmission.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSanaria, INC. NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Rockville, United States)
Project IDNIH-11088910 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Malaria continues to be a major health challenge, especially in Africa, and current vaccines offer limited protection. This effort focuses on developing Sanaria's PfSPZ vaccines, which use a weakened form of the malaria parasite, to prevent both infection and spread of the disease. The goal is to make these highly effective vaccines available to the public sooner. Researchers are building on previous clinical trials that showed the vaccine is safe and can protect against malaria.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This vaccine is intended for individuals at risk of malaria infection, particularly young children and adults in malaria-endemic regions.

Not a fit: Patients who do not live in malaria-prone areas or are not at risk of exposure to the Plasmodium falciparum parasite would not directly benefit from this vaccine.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this vaccine could offer much stronger protection against malaria than existing options, potentially saving many lives and aiding in malaria elimination efforts.

How similar studies have performed: Previous clinical trials have shown that the first-generation PfSPZ vaccine is safe, well-tolerated, and provides significant protection against malaria infection.

Where this research is happening

Rockville, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.