A new global consortium, the 2nd Generation Malaria Vaccine Consortium (MVC-2G), aims to develop a multi-stage malaria vaccine offering broader protection than current vaccines. Co-led by the University of Oxford and Burkina Faso’s IRSS/CRUN, and funded by Global Health EDCTP3, the consortium brings together nine leading research institutions from Africa, the European Union and the UK, with support from the Serum Institute of India.
Building on the success of R21/Matrix-M™, the new vaccine combines components targeting both liver- and blood-stages of the Plasmodium falciparum parasite lifecycle.
Over five years, MVC-2G will evaluate safety and efficacy in African children, align schedules with national immunisation programmes, and train early-career African researchers. The project also supports malaria elimination strategies by testing in older children and adults. The consortium reflects a strong North–South collaboration and aims to update WHO guidelines with rigorous clinical evidence. Key partners include Ifakara Health Institute, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, LSHTM, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, and the European Vaccine Initiative.
With malaria still causing over 597,000 deaths annually (2023 figures), mostly in sub-Saharan Africa, this next-generation vaccine could transform prevention efforts and accelerate progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3: ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all. The initiative also strengthens long-term research capacity across the African region.