Disease Applications
Malaria
The
World Health Organization estimates that half of the world's population
is at risk of contracting malaria, with nearly one million dying from
the disease each year. More children under five years of age are
killed by malaria than any other disease, and the direct and indirect
costs of malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa alone is estimated to be $12
billion per year.
Although malaria can be controlled on
several fronts, including prophylactic chemotherapy and attempting to
control mosquito populations, the occurrence of this disease continues
to increase. Thus, a safe and effective anti-malaria vaccine is a
critical global public health priority.
Eliciting complete
protective immunity against parasites carrying malaria is difficult as
their life cycle is complex. Etubics' AVVP can insert multiple
genes related to the most predominant growth stages of the malaria
parasite. Thus, creating a comprehensive vaccine that may cause
cell mediated immunity against each stage of malaria.