RMRC Bhubaneswar: At the Forefront of Medical Innovation
The Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC) in Bhubaneswar, a leading institute under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), has long been a hub for tropical disease research and public health solutions. In its latest breakthrough, RMRC has developed a next-generation malaria vaccine — a development hailed as a major scientific milestone. The new vaccine, AdFalciVax, is designed to combat Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest strain of malaria parasite, and promises not only to strengthen India’s healthcare arsenal but also unlock significant global health and economic benefits.
AdFalciVax: A Technological Leap in Malaria Prevention
Unlike conventional malaria vaccines, AdFalciVax is a recombinant, chimeric, multi-stage vaccine that offers dual protection: it prevents both infection in individuals and transmission within communities. This sets it apart from the WHO-approved vaccines such as RTS,S/AS01 (Mosquirix) and R21/Matrix-M, which primarily offer partial protection against early-stage infection.
AdFalciVax achieves this edge through a novel design that fuses three key malaria proteins — PfCSP, Pfs230, and Pfs48/45 — using Lactococcus lactis, a safe and cost-effective bacterial host. This innovative approach boosts the immune system’s response and ensures broader, longer-lasting protection.
Designed for Real-World Conditions
One of AdFalciVax’s most impressive features is its pharmaceutical stability. Unlike other vaccines that require constant refrigeration, AdFalciVax remains potent at room temperature for over nine months. This means it can be transported and stored easily in remote and underdeveloped areas, where malaria burden is often highest and cold chain logistics are unreliable or unaffordable.
Its durability and cost-effectiveness offer a practical, scalable solution for mass immunization campaigns, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, where malaria remains endemic.
Built on Strategic Collaboration and Indian Expertise
The vaccine’s pre-clinical development was carried out in collaboration with the National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR) and the National Institute of Immunology (NII), both based in New Delhi. RMRC Bhubaneswar, which led the research, retains full technical control over the production process.
Early studies suggest that AdFalciVax delivers immunity lasting over four months post-boost, with the potential for decade-long protection in humans once clinical trials validate its efficacy.
Now, with support from ICMR, the technology is being made available for commercial production. Expressions of interest are being invited from Indian pharmaceutical firms, biotech companies, and vaccine manufacturers to scale up the vaccine’s production and bring it to market.
Potential for Global Export and Economic Gain
Beyond its public health value, AdFalciVax also holds significant commercial potential. As an indigenous, patentable medical innovation, it positions India to become a global supplier of next-gen malaria vaccines. With an estimated 250 million malaria cases globally in 2022, the demand for affordable, stable, and effective vaccines is immense.
India can not only meet its domestic needs but also export the vaccine to malaria-endemic countries, strengthening its position as a global leader in vaccine diplomacy and contributing to global eradication efforts.
A Made-in-India Milestone for Global Health
AdFalciVax represents a triumph of Indian scientific research — one that merges cutting-edge innovation with grassroots practicality. RMRC Bhubaneswar’s development of this advanced malaria vaccine not only brings India closer to eliminating malaria at home but also offers a powerful tool to the global community.
As the technology moves toward commercialization, it embodies the vision of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” in public health — blending science, strategy, and social impact. With continued government backing and industry collaboration, AdFalciVax may soon become a cornerstone of global malaria prevention efforts.
(With agency inputs)
