Pregnancy Associated Malaria (PAM) component Var2-CSA DBL3-X
Inventor: Dr Benoit Gamain (Pateur Institute, Paris, France)

Pregnancy Associated Malaria (PAM) component Var2CSA
Inventor: Dr Thor Theander (Copenhagen Universty, Denmark)

Pregnancy associated malaria occurs due to the expression of specific antigens which allow the parasite to attach to cells of the placenta. These antigens are obvious vaccine targets provided the following criteria are met:
• The gene encoding the antigen is specifically transcribed in CSA binding parasite isolates or infected placenta.
• The protein binds to CSA.
• The protein shows some degree of conservation over a range of isolates.
• Gene knock-out disrupts ability to bind to CSA.
• Gender specific nature of immune response.
• The antigen is expressed on the surface of infected erythrocytes from infected placentas.

These two proposals were a direct result of the EMVI international meeting on Vaccines against PAM. The full report was published in Trends in Parasitology, May 2004 20(5): 201-4  and is also available under Meeting Reports on this web site. Both projects were evaluated as being of very high international standard. EMVI's Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) recommended co-operation be developed between the Principal Investigators of the two projects, and EMVI has taken measures to ensure this.

A pre-clinical contract with Thor Theander’s institution in Copenhagen has been signed for a project entitled Process Development GMP production and clinical Phase I trials of a malaria vaccine based on Var2CSA.

A pre-clinical contract with Benoit Gamain for a project entitled Process Development GMP production and clinical Phase I trials, based on Var2-CSA DBL3-X, has been signed with Institut Pasteur, Paris.

The two contracts are complementary and conditional, and a repository will be available for all EMVI supported projects dealing with Pregnancy Associated Malaria.

The study periods have terminated and EMVI is awaiting the final reports.