PfSPZ-LARC2 vaccine test in women of childbearing potential in Mali
Official title: Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Study to Assess Safety, Immunogenicity, & Protective Efficacy of Late Liver Stage-arresting, Replication-competent Plasmodium Falciparum Sporozoite Vaccine (Sanaria® PfSPZ-LARC2 Vaccine) in Healthy African Adult Women of Childbearing Potential in Mali
Run by Sanaria Inc. · NCT07675785 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial tests whether the PfSPZ-LARC2 vaccine is safe and can help protect healthy women of childbearing potential in Mali from malaria.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years to 38 Years |
| Sex | Women only |
| Enrollment | 300 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Sanaria Inc. Industry-sponsored |
| Drugs / interventions | prednisone |
| Locations | 1 site (Bamako) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 20, 2026 |
| Main results expected | July 15, 2028 |
| Study ends | April 2030 |
| Registry record updated | July 23, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07675785 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Healthy women aged 18–38 in Mali who are willing to use contraception during vaccination and plan to become pregnant within the next year.
✕Probably not a fit
Individuals who are already pregnant at enrollment or who do not plan to become pregnant within the near term may receive no direct benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluates the safety, tolerability, immune response, and protective efficacy of a three-dose PfSPZ-LARC2 vaccine regimen given on days 1, 6, and 29. Participants are healthy Malian women aged 18–38 who use contraception during vaccination and may become pregnant in the near future. The study includes follow-up over two malaria transmission seasons and includes monitoring of pregnancy and birth outcomes. All participants receive antimalarial treatment before key vaccination points, and outcomes include malaria infection rates, immune responses, and safety signals. Two arms (PfSPZ-LARC2 vaccine vs placebo) enroll 150 participants each, with ongoing follow-up through delivery and at least one year postpartum for any pregnancies and offspring.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the vaccine could reduce malaria risk for women who may become pregnant, potentially protecting both mothers and their future children.
How similar studies have gone: Prior malaria vaccine trials have shown mixed results; this study tests a novel 3-dose regimen for potential protective efficacy in a specific population.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Females of childbearing potential aged ≥ 18 and ≤ 38 years 2. Able to provide proof of identity to the satisfaction of the study clinician completing the enrollment process 3. In good general health and without clinically significant medical history 4. Willing to have blood samples stored for future research 5. Available for the duration of the study 6. Must be willing to use reliable contraception (defined as: pharmacologic contraceptives \[parental delivery\] or pre-existing intrauterine or implantable device) from 21 days prior to first vaccination (study day 1) to 28 days after last vaccination (study day 57) 7. Willingness to undergo HIV testing 8. Report being interested in becoming pregnant within the next 1 year Exclusion Criteria: 1. Pregnancy at the time of enrollment/vaccination, as determined by a positive urine or serum human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) test 2. Biologically unable to become pregnant secondary to: surgical sterilization, premature ovarian insufficiency (defined as no menses for ≥12 months without an alternative medical cause) 3. Behavioral, cognitive, or psychiatric disease that in the opinion of the investigator affects the ability of the participant to understand and comply with the study protocol 4. Hemoglobin (Hgb), WBC, absolute neutrophils, and platelets outside the local laboratorydefined limits of normal and ≥ Grade 2 (participants may be included at the investigator's discretion for 'not clinically significant' abnormal values) 5. Alanine transaminase (ALT) or creatinine (Cr) level above the local laboratory-defined upper limit of normal and ≥ Grade 2 (participants may be included at the investigator's discretion for 'not clinically significant' abnormal values) 6. Infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) 7. Known or documented sickle cell disease by history (Note: known sickle cell trait is NOT exclusionary) 8. Clinically significant abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) such as abnormal QTc. 9. Evidence of clinically significant neurologic, cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic, endocrine, rheumatologic, autoimmune, hematological, oncologic, or renal disease by history, physical examination, and/or laboratory studies including urinalysis 10. History of receiving any investigational product within the past 30 days 11. Participation or planned participation in a clinical trial with an investigational product prior to completion of the follow-up visit 28 days following last vaccination OR planned participation in an investigational vaccine study until the last required protocol visit 12. Medical, occupational, or family problems as a result of alcohol or illicit drug use during the past 12 months 13. History of a severe allergic reaction (Grade 2 or higher or per PI discretion) or anaphylaxis 14. Severe asthma (defined as asthma that is unstable or required emergent care, urgent care, hospitalization, or intubation during the past two years, or that has required the use of oral or parenteral corticosteroids at any time during the past two years) 15. Pre-existing autoimmune or antibody-mediated diseases including but not limited to: systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Sjögren's syndrome, or autoimmune thrombocytopenia 16. Known immunodeficiency syndrome 17. Known seizure disorder or history of seizures (exclusion: simple febrile seizure during childhood) or history of migraine headaches 18. Laboratory evidence of hepatitis B or C 19. Known asplenia or functional asplenia 20. Use of chronic (≥14 days) oral or IV corticosteroids (excluding topical or nasal) at immunosuppressive doses (i.e., prednisone ≥20 mg/day) or immunosuppressive drugs within 30 days of vaccination 21. Receipt of a live vaccine within the past four weeks or a killed vaccine within the past two weeks prior to Vaccination #1 and every subsequent vaccination day 22. Receipt of immunoglobulins and/or blood products within the past six months 23. Previous receipt of an investigational malaria vaccine in the last ten years 24. Known allergies or other contraindications against use of artemether/lumefantrine 25. Other condition(s) that, in the opinion of the investigator, would jeopardize the safety or rights of a participant participating in the trial, interfere with the evaluation of the study objectives, or would render the participant unable to comply with the protocol
Where it's running
-
University of Sciences, Techniques and Technology, Bamako (USTTB)
Bamako, Mali Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Halimatou Diawara, MD, MPH
- Email: hdiawara@icermali.org
- Phone: +223-7248- 4849
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Imatinib added to artemether-lumefantrine for uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria
This trial tests whether adding imatinib to standard artemether-lumefantrine helps people with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria clear infections faster and limit drug-resistant parasites.
-
PfSPZ-LARC2 vaccine field trial in healthy adults in Africa
A phase 2 test will see if a weakened malaria vaccine can help healthy adults in Africa build immunity against Plasmodium falciparum.
-
Single-dose combination therapy for uncomplicated malaria in young children
This study tests whether a single oral dose of a combination of anti-malarial drugs can cure uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in children aged 2 to under 12 years, compared with standard Coartem treatment.
-
Fixed-dose combination of artemether-lumefantrine-amodiaquine for uncomplicated falciparum malaria
This trial will test whether a single fixed-dose combination of three antimalarials (artemether-lumefantrine-amodiaquine) works as well and is as safe and tolerable as standard two-drug combinations for people with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria.
-
Evaluating anti-malarial agents for uncomplicated malaria
This study is testing different malaria medications to see how well they work and how safe they are for people with uncomplicated malaria.
-
See if the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine works in real-world settings for kids under 5
This study tests how well the R21/Matrix-M vaccine protects children under 5 in Burkina Faso and Uganda when used in typical clinical care.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.