New Delhi: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has licensed its indigenous multi-stage malaria vaccine, AdFalciVax, to five pharmaceutical companies in a major step toward the country’s goal of eliminating malaria by 2030.
The firms include two Hyderabad-based vaccine manufacturers, Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) and Biological E Limited, along with TechInvention Lifecare Private Limited, Panacea Biotec Limited, and Zydus Lifesciences.
Developed by ICMR’s Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC) in Bhubaneswar, AdFalciVax is a recombinant vaccine targeting the deadliest malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, at multiple stages of its life cycle. This includes blocking the parasite before it enters the liver and later when it multiplies in the bloodstream.
The vaccine is unique in requiring only a single shot, and pre-clinical trials have already confirmed both its safety and efficacy in animal models. Public health officials say the results so far have been excellent.
Unlike traditional vaccines that use weakened or killed pathogens, AdFalciVax is made by inserting a harmless malaria protein into Lactococcus lactis– a bacterium widely used in food production. This bacterium then produces the protein, which is harvested to create the vaccine.
AdFalci Vax — India’s 1st indigenous multi-stage malaria vaccine 💉🌍 developed by @ICMR_RMRCBBSR
Licensed to industry partners under #PatentMitra .
Innovation ➡️ Impact. @PanaceaBiotec @ZydusUniverse @biological_e @TechinventionL @indimmune_ https://t.co/3bp9b4S8a7 pic.twitter.com/Cr0SIqpTMV— ICMR (@ICMRDELHI) September 7, 2025
India has set ambitious targets: zero indigenous malaria cases by 2027 and complete elimination by 2030, under the National Framework for Malaria Elimination and the National Strategic Plan for Malaria (2023–27).
Progress has been significant. According to the World Malaria Report 2024, India reduced malaria cases by more than 80 percent in the past decade, from 6.4 million in 2017 to 2 million in 2023.
Deaths dropped from 11,100 to just 3,500 over the same period. More than 122 districts reported zero cases last year, and India exited the World Health Organization’s “High Burden to High Impact” category.
Despite these advances, malaria remains entrenched in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and parts of the Northeast, particularly tribal and border regions. Limited healthcare access, malnutrition, and cross-border transmission continue to complicate eradication efforts.
Experts believe AdFalciVax could be a game-changer by reducing P. falciparum infections and stopping local outbreaks from escalating. When combined with the “Test, Treat, Track” strategy, it could accelerate India’s timeline for eliminating the disease.
Human trials are expected to assess the vaccine’s real-world impact. Once scaled up, AdFalciVax could provide India with a powerful new tool against a disease that once caused millions of cases and thousands of deaths annually.
“India has achieved transformational progress in reducing malaria cases and deaths. The addition of an indigenous vaccine adds a critical layer of defence,” the Health Ministry said in a statement.
Malaria, caused by parasites transmitted through bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, remains a global health threat. Plasmodium falciparum is the most dangerous strain, capable of causing severe illness and death within 24 hours if untreated.
Prevention tips include:
- Using insecticide-treated mosquito nets
- Applying repellents
- Avoiding outdoor exposure during dusk and dawn
- Keeping homes and surroundings free of stagnant water
