100 + INNOVATIONS
Next-Generation Vaccines for Malaria
Re-imagining tomorrow’ s vaccines to advance the global eradication of malaria
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Research Project
Challenge
Malaria kills a child every minute. Despite decades of research, licensed antimalarial vaccines show only modest efficacy and poor durability. Next-generation vaccines are needed that extend the timescale of protection and offer near-complete protection. However, this goal is hindered by the complexity of the parasite’ s constantly changing lifecycle.
Solution
The team is developing novel vaccines that target malaria parasites across their complex lifecycle, aiming to attack multiple targets in a single shot. It is mobilising cellular( white blood cells) and antibody arms of the immune system while simultaneously exploring designs that could be injected, inhaled or even eaten. This approach, which the team calls‘ disruptive vaccinology,’ integrates computer science, advanced molecular biology, and the RNA and protein design.
Target customers / end-users
• low-to-middle income pregnant women and children in countries where malaria is endemic( particularly sub- Saharan Africa)
• government and regional vaccination programs
• the WHO.
Progress
• > AU $ 4m in direct funding from the NHMRC and Gates Foundation
• collaborative program of research with start-up, Bondi Bio
• active participation with EU Consortia CAPTIVATE using the team’ s technology
Lab validated
TRL 3
Multidisciplinary team
Healthy Living
The Baum Lab is targeting the malaria parasite across its mosquito-to-human journey. Enlisting the help of antibodies, immune cells and innovative platform technologies, from RNA to edible vaccines, it aims to achieve potent, longlasting protections that complement global strategies and accelerate control of this ancient parasite towards eventual eradication.
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