Patronus Biotech has secured a new grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to accelerate the development of its novel malaria vaccine and adjuvant platform aimed at expanding global access to affordable, high-impact prevention tools. The funding will support the evaluation of LYB014, an innovative U-VLP® vaccine candidate designed to target multiple stages of the most lethal malaria parasite, as well as a next-generation, low-cost synthetic adjuvant developed for global health use.
Malaria continues to be one of the world’s most devastating infectious diseases, causing an estimated 263 million cases and nearly 600,000 deaths in 2023. Children under the age of five remain disproportionately affected. Despite progress with the first generation of malaria vaccines, there is an urgent need for more effective, durable, and affordable solutions that can be deployed widely in endemic regions.
Patronus Biotech’s vaccine candidate represents a significant scientific advancement, as it is the first malaria vaccine designed to target all three key stages of the Plasmodium falciparum life cycle simultaneously. This multi-stage approach has the potential to deliver broader and more effective protection. LYB014 is paired with A02, a highly pure, low-cost adjuvant system engineered from synthetic components to stimulate strong and long-lasting humoral and cellular immune responses—both essential for preventing severe disease.
“Our scientific approach has the potential to transform the fight against malaria,” said Dr. Jin, Chief Executive Officer of Patronus Biotech. “Our goal with LYB014 and the A02 adjuvant is not just to prevent infection, but to create a more robust and affordable shield that can combat the parasite's complex biology. This could be a critical step toward eventual malaria elimination.”
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