Biontech is aiming to develop a vaccine against malaria

After the success of its Covid-19 vaccine, Biontech is aiming to develop a vaccine against malaria. It should also be based on mRNA technology, the start of the clinical study is planned for the end of 2022, as Biontech announced. The Mainz-based biotech company is also planning to set up mRNA vaccine production on the African continent, with support from the European Commission, the World Health Organization and other organizations. "The pandemic has shown that science and innovation can change people's lives if everyone involved works towards a common goal," said Biontech boss Ugur Sahin. In the corona pandemic, Biontech and its US partner Pfizer achieved the world's first approval of a vaccine against Covid-19 at the end of last year. It was also the first medical product based on the messenger RNA (mRNA) approach ever approved. mRNA vaccines give human cells the information they need to fight pathogens. In contrast to conventional vaccines, the often tedious production of weakened or killed pathogens in cell cultures or in hen's eggs is no longer necessary. An mRNA vaccine can therefore be produced more quickly than conventional vaccines and can be adapted relatively quickly if necessary, since only the blueprint has to be produced, not the antigen itself. Biontech recently gained its first production partner in Africa with the South African Biovac. However, Biovac will only take over the last manufacturing step for the corona vaccine, i.e. filling and packaging, the active ingredient substance will come from Europe. Biontech is now examining how the company could set up mRNA production facilities for vaccines in Africa, either alone or with partners. These are then to be built in the immediate vicinity of technology transfer centers, the construction of which is the responsibility of the WHO. Malaria is one of the most dangerous infectious diseases.