Malaria vaccine R78C development gains momentum with Oxford, Serum Institute of India pact
The University of Oxford and Serum Institute of India (SII) recently signed a licensing agreement to accelerate development of the R78C malaria vaccine candidate. This pact grants SII a non-exclusive worldwide license to produce R78C, targeting blood-stage Plasmodium falciparum antigens RIPR and CyPRA for clinical use.
Agreement Details
Announced on April 25, 2026, the deal positions R78C as a key component in a next-generation multi-stage malaria vaccine, attacking the parasite at multiple lifecycle points to boost efficacy and longevity. It extends prior Oxford-SII collaborations, like the 2019 R21 pre-erythrocytic vaccine and RH5.1 blood-stage work.
Professor Simon Draper of Oxford emphasized combining antigens for stronger protection, with SII’s manufacturing enabling global access. SII’s Dr. Umesh Shaligram highlighted innovation for multi-stage targeting to make vaccines effective and affordable.
This builds momentum against malaria, which affects millions annually, especially in Africa and Asia, where SII’s scale could aid deployment. R78C aims to complement existing vaccines like RTS,S and R21 for broader impact.
