Serum - Protection from birth onwards
Oxford, UK / Pune, India - The University of Oxford, through Oxford University Innovation (OUI), and the Serum Institute of India (SII), a Cyrus Poonawalla group company and the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer by volume, have entered into a licence agreement to support the development and manufacture of the new malaria vaccine candidate R78C, based on two Plasmodium falciparum blood-stage antigens (RIPR and CyPRA), for use in clinical settings.
The agreement grants SII a non-exclusive, worldwide licence to develop R78C as part of a next-generation multi-stage malaria vaccine - a major step designed to target the parasite at multiple points in its lifecycle, with the aim of improving efficacy and durability of protection. The collaboration builds on a longstanding association between Oxford and Serum Institute of India, including the 2019 licence for the R21 pre-erythrocytic stage vaccine and subsequent work to further incorporate the RH5.1 blood-stage vaccine candidate.
The licence will enable SII to support the continued development, large-scale manufacture, and potential future commercialisation of the multi-stage vaccine candidate, helping to accelerate its progression into clinical evaluation.
Professor Simon Draper FMedSci, Professor of Vaccinology and Translational Medicine in the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Oxford, whose lab developed the RH5.1 and R78C blood-stage vaccine candidates, said, "This agreement marks an important milestone in our efforts to develop a highly effective multi-stage malaria vaccine. By combining multiple antigens that target different stages of the parasite lifecycle, we aim to achieve stronger and longer-lasting protection. Our collaboration with the Serum Institute of India is central to ensuring that, if successful, these vaccines can be manufactured at scale and made accessible to populations most in need."
Dr. Umesh Shaligram, Executive Director, Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd., said, "Malaria prevention continues to demand sustained scientific innovation, especially as efforts move towards vaccines that can target the parasite at different stages of its lifecycle. At SII, we have consistently focused on advancing such approaches with the aim of making them effective and accessible. This agreement with the University of Oxford to develop R78C builds on our ongoing collaboration and supports the continued development of next-generation malaria vaccine candidates."
Dr Matthew Carpenter, Deputy Head of Licensing and Ventures for Life Sciences, said: "We are proud to continue supporting the University’s malaria vaccine programme through this expanded partnership with the Serum Institute of India. This licensing agreement represents an important milestone in the development of a multi-stage malaria vaccine, enabling the integration of the R78C candidate alongside existing components. It highlights how Oxford’s knowledge and research can be translated into impactful global health solutions, bringing together scientific innovation and manufacturing expertise to accelerate the development of vaccines for those most affected by malaria."
This agreement forms part of a broader ecosystem of collaborations supporting the development of novel malaria vaccines. In parallel, SIIPL has entered into a related agreement with ExpreS2ion to secure access to its proprietary ExpreS2 expression platform, which has been used in the clinical-stage production of RH5.1 and R78C vaccine components.
The Oxford–Serum collaboration has consistently focused on enabling equitable access to vaccines for low- and middle-income countries. By leveraging SIIPL’s global manufacturing capabilities, the collaboration aims to ensure that successful malaria vaccine candidates can be produced at scale and supplied affordably to endemic regions.
Malaria remains a major global health challenge, with hundreds of millions of cases reported annually, predominantly affecting children in sub-Saharan Africa. The development of more effective vaccines is widely recognised as a critical component of long-term malaria control and eradication strategies.
ENDS
Media Contacts
Laura Borg, Communications Lead, Department of Paediatrics: laura.borg@paediatrics.ox.ac.uk,
07773226017
About University of Oxford
Oxford University has been placed number 1 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for the tenth year running, and number 3 in the QS World Rankings 2024. At the heart of this success are the twin-pillars of our ground-breaking research and innovation and our distinctive educational offer.
Oxford is world-famous for research and teaching excellence and home to some of the most talented people from across the globe. Our work helps the lives of millions, solving real-world problems through a huge network of partnerships and collaborations. The breadth and interdisciplinary nature of our research alongside our personalised approach to teaching sparks imaginative and inventive insights and solutions.
Through its research commercialisation arm, Oxford University Innovation, Oxford is the highest university patent filer in the UK and is ranked first in the UK for university spinouts, having created more than 300 new companies since 1988. Over a third of these companies have been created in the past five years. The university is a catalyst for prosperity in Oxfordshire and the United Kingdom, contributing around £16.9 billion to the UK economy in 2021/22, and supports more than 90,400 full time jobs.
About The Draper Lab
The Draper Lab is based in the Department of Paediatrics and Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery at the University of Oxford. The group is led by Simon Draper FMedSci, Professor of Vaccinology and Translational Medicine, and the clinical team, led by Associate Professor Angela Minassian, is based at the University’s Centre for Clinical Vaccinology and Tropical Medicine. The Draper Lab studies vaccine-induced immunity, with a particular focus on antibody immunology and human malaria infection. A critical strength of the group is a strong dual focus on preclinical vaccine development in parallel with clinical vaccine testing and experimental medicine studies.
To date the group has undertaken 27 proof-of-concept Phase 1/2 clinical trials assessing novel vaccine delivery platforms and immunisation regimens; developing controlled human malaria infection (CHMI) models for Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax; and testing novel blood-stage malaria vaccine antigens (PfRH5 for P. falciparum and PvDBP_RII for P. vivax). The PfRH5 blood-stage malaria clinical vaccine development programme now spans multiple partnerships across East and West Africa. The group has a strong track record of partnering with biotech and pharma, and participation in numerous collaborative programmes with academic and industrial partners, seeking to develop improved vaccines or antibody-based therapeutics.
About Oxford University Innovation (OUI)
The University of Oxford’s intellectual property, including patented technologies, software, copyright, data, designs and know-how is offered for commercial use under licence from Oxford University Innovation (OUI). OUI is the research commercialisation office of the University of Oxford, recognised worldwide for its ability to engage academic prowess through licensing, catalyse innovative solutions through consulting services, and support the creation of spinouts, start-ups, and social ventures. OUI is dedicated to showcasing these transformative technologies on the global stage, bridging the realms of academia and the commercial world, thereby weaving a future where knowledge, innovation and partnership drive forward solutions to global challenges. For more information, please visit innovation.ox.ac.uk/
About Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd.
Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd., is a global leader in vaccine manufacturing, dedicated to providing affordable vaccines worldwide. Present across 170+ countries, including the US, UK, and Europe, SIIPL holds the distinction of being the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer. SIIPL’s multifunctional production and one-of-the-largest facility in Manjri, Pune, with an annual capacity of 4 billion doses, has saved over 30 million lives over the years.
Founded in 1966, SIIPL’s primary mission is to produce life-saving immunobiological drugs, with a particular emphasis on affordability and accessibility. Guided by a strong commitment to improving global health, the company has played a pivotal role in reducing the prices of essential vaccines, such as Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, HIB, BCG, r-Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps, and Rubella. Notably, they are the manufacturers of ‘Pneumosil,’ the world’s most affordable PCV, and the first indigenous qHPV vaccine in India. Moreover, SIIPL has been at the forefront of the global fight against COVID-19, delivering over 2 billion doses of the COVID-19 vaccine worldwide.
To further expand its global presence and ensure widespread vaccine availability, SIIPL has established Serum Life Sciences Ltd, a subsidiary in the UK. Through relentless pursuit of innovation, SIIPL continues to champion the cause of affordable vaccines, making a positive impact on the lives of millions worldwide. www.seruminstitute.com