Malaria remains a deadly parasitic disease with devastating impacts, particularly on vulnerable populations in low- and middle-income countries. In 2023, there were an estimated 263 million cases of malaria worldwide and approximately 597,000 deaths, with 76% of fatalities occurring in children under five in the African Region (World malaria report 2024, WHO).

Under research and clinical license agreements between ExpreS2ion and the University of Oxford, unique S2 cell strains have been developed by application of ExpreS2ion’s proprietary vector system, thereby bringing lead vaccine candidates based on RH5.1 and R78C malaria antigens into clinical Phase I and II trials (see description in the 2024 scientific publication DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(24)00312-8 highlighting the clinical progress of the lead malaria vaccine candidate based on the RH5.1 antigen). The promising findings reported by the University of Oxford further validate the potential of these vaccine candidates for combatting malaria.

Following last year’s signed term sheet, ExpreS2ion Biotechnologies and Serum Institute of India have now executed a definitive license agreement to advance and commercialize these blood-stage malaria vaccines, aiming to address one of the world’s most urgent unmet health needs.

Bent U. Frandsen, Chief Executive Officer, comments:

“We are pleased to have executed the definitive agreement with Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer. By combining ExpreS2ion’s innovative vaccine technology with Serum Institute of India’s unmatched development and manufacturing capabilities, we are well positioned to bring a much-needed malaria vaccine to populations at risk. We look forward to continuing this strong collaboration as we move these malaria vaccine programs closer to potential impact on public health worldwide.”

About the Malaria Vaccine Programs Utilizing the ExpreS2™ System

Since 2012, ExpreS2ion has supported malaria vaccine research initiatives, led by Prof. Simon J. Draper, Professor of Vaccinology and Translational Medicine at the University of Oxford. This collaboration has given rise to several malaria vaccine projects, including RH5.1 and R78C, both of which rely on ExpreS2ion’s proprietary ExpreS2™ technology for antigen production. Notably, this system has proven to be the only platform capable of generating enough of the active ingredients required for on-going clinical vaccine development. Importantly, these vaccines are designed to target the "blood stage" of the malaria parasite’s life cycle as opposed to existing vaccines like R21/Matrix-M and RTS,S/AS01 which target the "liver stage". Based on promising clinical results from the University of Oxford, it is hypothesized by leading researchers that a vaccine addressing both stages could provide broader protection against malaria.  

About Serum Institute of India Private Limited

Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd. is the world's largest vaccine manufacturer by number of doses produced and sold globally (more than 1.5 billion doses annually) which includes Polio vaccine, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Hib, BCG, r-Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps, Rubella as well as Pneumococcal and COVID-19 vaccines. It is estimated that about 65% of the children in the world receive at least one vaccine manufactured by SIIPL. Vaccines manufactured by SIIPL are accredited by the World Health Organization, Geneva and are being used in around 170 countries across the globe in their national immunization programs, saving millions of lives throughout the world. SIIPL is ranked as India's no. 1 biotechnology company, manufacturing highly specialized life-saving biologicals like vaccines using cutting edge genetic and cell-based technologies, antisera and other medical specialties. Serum Institute of India was founded in 1966 by Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla with the aim of manufacturing life-saving immuno-biologicals. More information at website www.seruminstitute.com.

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