Leveraging malaria vaccines and mRNA technology to tackle the global inequity in pharmaceutical research and production towards disease elimination

Malar J. 2024 May 6;23(1):136. doi: 10.1186/s12936-024-04972-5.

Abstract

Malaria vaccine introduction in endemic countries is a game-changing milestone in the fight against the disease. This article examines the inequity in the global pharmaceutical research, development, manufacturing, and trade landscape. The role of inequity in hindering progress towards malaria elimination is explored. The analysis finds that transformational changes are required to create an equity-enabling environment. Addressing the inequity is critical to maximizing the public health impact of vaccines and attaining sustainability. Avenues to catalyze progress by leveraging malaria vaccines and messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) technology are discussed.

Keywords: Drug development; Malaria; Plasmodium falciparum; R21/Matrix-M; RTS,S/AS01; Vaccines; mRNA.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Africa
  • Disease Eradication / methods
  • Global Health
  • Humans
  • Malaria Vaccines* / genetics
  • Malaria Vaccines* / immunology
  • Malaria* / immunology
  • Malaria* / prevention & control
  • Pharmaceutical Research
  • mRNA Vaccines* / immunology

Substances

  • Malaria Vaccines
  • mRNA Vaccines