Creating more powerful malaria vaccines
Official title: Expanding the breadth, magnitude, and durability of PfSPZ vaccines by creating multi-strain vaccines, designer hybrid and genetically altered parasite vaccines and use of a unique adjuvant.
Funded at Sanaria, INC. · NIH-11082271 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to make new malaria vaccines that work better, last longer, and protect against more types of malaria parasites for people in areas where malaria is common.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sanaria, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rockville, United States) |
| Project start | April 8, 2021 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,012,212 |
| NIH project number | 5U01AI155356-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11082271 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for future vaccine trials stemming from this research would likely include individuals, particularly children aged 0-11 years, living in malaria-endemic areas of Africa and Asia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not live in malaria-endemic regions or are not at risk of Plasmodium falciparum infection would not directly benefit from this vaccine development.
What this research studies
Current malaria vaccines, based on a West African parasite strain, have shown promise in clinical trials. However, malaria parasites vary across different regions like East Africa and Asia, meaning the current vaccine might not be as effective everywhere. Our goal is to develop next-generation vaccines using different strains of the malaria parasite, including those from East Africa and Asia, to offer broader protection. We are also exploring new vaccine designs and a special ingredient called an adjuvant to boost the vaccine's strength and lasting effect. This work could lead to more effective and widely available malaria prevention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new malaria vaccines that provide stronger, longer-lasting, and broader protection against different malaria strains, especially for children and adults in malaria-prone regions.
How similar studies have gone: First and second-generation PfSPZ vaccines have already demonstrated excellent safety and efficacy in over 25 clinical trials, indicating a strong foundation for this advanced development.
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
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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.