Developing a new malaria vaccine using engineered outer membrane vesicles
Official title: Recombinant Outer Membrane Vesicles as a Novel Adjuvant for a Malaria Vaccine
Funded at Versatope Therapeutics, INC. · NIH-10997404 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new malaria vaccine for kids that uses tiny particles from a friendly bacteria to help their immune system fight off the disease better and last longer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Versatope Therapeutics, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lowell, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | December 8, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $999,993 |
| NIH project number | 5R44AI181242-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10997404 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years living in malaria-endemic regions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not children or those living in non-endemic regions for malaria may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a more effective malaria vaccine for children by using specially engineered outer membrane vesicles derived from a probiotic strain of E. coli. These vesicles are designed to enhance the immune response and provide long-lasting protection against malaria, specifically targeting the Plasmodium falciparum parasite. The approach involves molecular engineering to create nano-sized particles that can display foreign antigens and act as powerful adjuvants, potentially improving vaccine efficacy. By addressing the limitations of current malaria vaccines, this research aims to significantly reduce the incidence of severe malaria in young children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a more effective malaria vaccine that significantly reduces infections and deaths in children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using similar adjuvant technologies to enhance vaccine efficacy, indicating potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Versatope Therapeutics, INC.
Lowell, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Locher, Christopher — Versatope Therapeutics, INC.
- Study coordinator: Locher, Christopher
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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.