Oxford, Serum Institute of India: New Anti-Malaria vaccine trial over, authorization next year

The trial for the new anti-malaria vaccine is over and it is believed to be authorized next year. Oxford University and the Serum Institute of India have finished Phase 3 trials for the R21 anti-malaria vaccine in Africa, officials declared on Monday. According to SII executives, the vaccine is likely to be authorized by authorities next year.

Executive director of Serum Institute of India, Umesh Shaligram, stated that
"The Phase-3 studies for R21 or Matrix-M vaccine, a cost-effective multi-stage malaria vaccine, was completed in Africa on Monday”.


Malaria kills over 600,000 people worldwide each year. Last October, the World Health Organization (WHO) authorized Mosquirix, an anti-malaria vaccine with a 40-50% effectiveness. The new vaccination is more effective than 80% of the time. A malaria vaccine has long been considered one of science's main pillars.

Jenner Institute stated earlier this year in a statement that "SIIPL has verified its commitment to provide >200 million doses per year following licensing, which will be a sufficient supply for children most at risk of this disease Malaria in Africa”.

The R21 malaria vaccine, also known as Matrix-M, was developed by the Jenner Institute at the University of Oxford, which was also in collaboration with SII in 2020 to produce and develop the vaccine for large-scale delivery. The vaccine's inventors said that the goal was to provide large quantities of low-cost vaccination, and availability in regions where it is most needed.

FAQ

1- What exactly is the R21 malaria vaccine?
R21/Matrix-M Malaria Vaccine is used to prevent Plasmodium falciparum malaria, which is spread by mosquitoes.

2-WHO manufactures the R21 vaccine?
The world's biggest vaccine maker, the Serum Institute of India, has committed to producing more than 100 million doses of the R21 vaccine per year.