Major Patents on Potential Malaria Vaccine Targets

Klauss Kleydmann^*
*Correspondence: Klauss Kleydmann, Department of Tropical Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasília 70904-970, Brazil, Email:

Introduction

Malaria, a deadly disease caused by Plasmodium parasites transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes, remains a significant global health challenge. Despite concerted efforts to control and eliminate malaria, it continues to affect millions of people worldwide, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The development of an effective malaria vaccine has long been considered a crucial tool in the fight against this disease. Over the years, researchers have identified various potential vaccine targets, leading to the filing of numerous patents aimed at advancing vaccine development. In this article, we explore some of the major patents related to potential malaria vaccine targets.

Description

Another promising vaccine target is the apical membrane antigen, a protein essential for parasite invasion of host cells. Several patents relate to the use of AMA1 as a vaccine antigen, including methods for producing recombinant forms of the protein and vaccine compositions comprising AMA1 and adjuvants. These patents highlight the potential of AMA1-based vaccines to induce protective immune responses against malaria. Merozoite surface protein is another key target for malaria vaccine development, as it plays a crucial role in the invasion of red blood cells by the malaria parasite. Patents covering MSP1-based vaccine candidates describe various strategies for enhancing the immunogenicity and efficacy of these vaccines, including novel adjuvants and delivery systems. Liver stage antigens represent attractive targets for malaria vaccines, as they are expressed during the early stages of parasite infection and play a critical role in establishing the infection within the host. Patents related to liver stage antigens describe vaccine candidates targeting proteins such as Liver Stage Antigen 1 (LSA1) and Liver Stage Antigen 3 (LSA3), as well as methods for their production and use in vaccine formulations. In addition to vaccines targeting the parasite's pre-erythrocytic and erythrocytic stages, there is growing interest in developing transmissionblocking vaccines that target sexual-stage antigens expressed by the parasite in the mosquito vector [1].

Patents covering TBV candidates describe various antigens, including Pfs25 and Pfs48/45, which have shown promise in preclinical studies for their ability to block parasite transmission from humans to mosquitoes. Multi-stage vaccines that target multiple stages of the malaria parasite's life cycle are also under development. These vaccines aim to provide broader protection against infection by targeting antigens expressed at different stages, from the mosquito vector to the human host. Patents related to multistage vaccines describe vaccine compositions comprising a combination of antigens from different stages of the parasite life cycle, as well as methods for their production and use. While significant progress has been made in the development of malaria vaccines, several challenges remain. These include the need to improve vaccine efficacy, duration of protection, and scalability of production to meet the demands of mass vaccination campaigns in malariaendemic regions. Additionally, ongoing research is focused on identifying new vaccine targets and optimizing vaccine formulations to enhance immune responses and overcome parasite diversity. By targeting multiple antigens or stages of the pathogen, multi-stage vaccines can stimulate a more diverse and comprehensive immune response. This approach can enhance the efficacy of the vaccine by covering a broader range of targets and reducing the likelihood of immune evasion by the pathogen. Vaccines that target multiple stages or antigens of a pathogen can reduce the risk of vaccine escape mutants emerging. If a pathogen mutates to evade the immune response induced by one antigen, other antigens targeted by the vaccine may still provide protection [2,3].

Vaccines that target multiple stages or antigens of a pathogen may provide more durable protection compared to single-stage vaccines. By inducing immunity against multiple targets, multi-stage vaccines may offer broader and longer-lasting protection against infection and disease. Some pathogens, such as HIV and malaria parasites, exhibit significant antigenic diversity, making it challenging to develop vaccines that provide broad protection. Multi-stage vaccines can help address this challenge by targeting multiple antigens or epitopes, thereby increasing the likelihood of achieving broad coverage against antigenic variants. Multi-stage vaccine development allows for the customization of vaccine formulations to target specific stages of a pathogen's lifecycle or particular antigens associated with virulence or transmission. This approach enables researchers to tailor vaccines to the unique characteristics of each pathogen and optimize vaccine efficacy. Overall, multi-stage vaccines represent a promising approach for combating infectious diseases, particularly those with complex life cycles or antigenic diversity. While challenges remain in their development and implementation, ongoing research efforts aim to harness the potential of multi-stage vaccines to enhance protection against a wide range of pathogens [4,5].

Conclusion

In conclusion, patents related to potential malaria vaccine targets reflect the diverse approaches being pursued by researchers and pharmaceutical companies in the quest to develop an effective malaria vaccine. From targeting specific parasite proteins to developing multi-stage vaccines and transmissionblocking strategies, these patents highlight the innovative efforts aimed at reducing the global burden of malaria. Continued investment in research and development, coupled with collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors, will be essential to realizing the goal of a malaria-free world.

Acknowledgement

None.

Conflict of Interest

There are no conflicts of interest by author.

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