10 Sep 2025: In a significant step toward eradicating malaria in India, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has licensed its multi-stage malaria vaccine ‘AdFalciVax’ to five pharmaceutical companies for mass production and distribution. This move is expected to accelerate the availability of the vaccine and strengthen India’s fight against the deadly mosquito-borne disease.
ICMR announced that AdFalciVax has been designed to target multiple stages of the malaria parasite’s lifecycle, making it one of the most advanced candidates globally. By interrupting the parasite’s ability to infect and replicate within the human body, the vaccine offers long-term protection and aims to reduce transmission rates significantly.
Companies Licensed to Produce the Vaccine
The five companies granted licenses include both public sector undertakings and private pharma manufacturers with strong track records in vaccine development. While ICMR has not yet disclosed the names publicly, officials confirmed that the companies were selected based on their manufacturing capacity, compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and ability to distribute the vaccine across India and globally.
A Major Step Towards Malaria Elimination
India has been working toward its goal of eliminating malaria by 2030, and this vaccine is expected to play a key role in reaching that milestone. According to ICMR, malaria still accounts for thousands of deaths annually, particularly in tribal and rural areas. The introduction of AdFalciVax could drastically reduce the disease burden.
What Makes AdFalciVax Unique?
Unlike traditional malaria vaccines that focus on one stage of the parasite, AdFalciVax covers multiple stages — pre-erythrocytic, erythrocytic, and sexual stages. This not only protects individuals from infection but also helps stop transmission within the community.
Expert Reactions
Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Director General of ICMR, said, “Licensing AdFalciVax to multiple manufacturers will ensure rapid scale-up, competitive pricing, and wide accessibility. This is a major milestone in India’s public health journey.”
Public health experts have hailed the move as a game-changer, emphasizing that a coordinated vaccine rollout combined with ongoing vector control measures — such as insecticide-treated nets and indoor spraying — can bring India closer to malaria elimination.
What’s Next?
The companies are expected to begin commercial production in early 2026, following regulatory approvals and final-phase trials. ICMR also indicated that international collaborations may help bring the vaccine to malaria-endemic countries in Africa.
Conclusion:
The licensing of AdFalciVax marks a historic step in India’s healthcare innovation and disease control strategy. If rolled out successfully, it could save countless lives, reduce healthcare costs, and position India as a leader in malaria vaccine technology.
Summary:
ICMR licenses its breakthrough multi-stage malaria vaccine ‘AdFalciVax’ to five companies, paving the way for mass production, rapid rollout, and a major boost to India’s malaria elimination target by 2030.