Researchers at the University of Maryland have developed a new monoclonal antibody called MAM01, which has shown promising results in early clinical trials for preventing malaria.

MAM01 targets a conserved region on the surface of the Plasmodium falciparum parasite, aiming to block infection before it reaches the bloodstream.

In a Phase 1 trial involving 38 healthy adults, MAM01 demonstrated dose-dependent protection against malaria, with the highest dose preventing all cases of malaria in participants exposed to infected mosquitoes, and no serious adverse events reported.

The study, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, showed that the antibody provides long-lasting, immediate protection with a single injection, unlike traditional vaccines that require multiple doses.

The treatment was well tolerated, with no serious adverse effects, indicating its safety for further development.

MAM01 offers potentially months-long protection by targeting a conserved region of the malaria parasite, providing an alternative to current vaccines and treatments.

Researchers are working on optimizing dosing and reducing costs to make this prevention method accessible in malaria-endemic regions, with testing already underway in young children in Uganda.

The development was conducted by researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, in collaboration with the Gates Medical Research Institute, with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

This breakthrough represents a significant advancement in malaria prevention, especially for vulnerable groups like children and pregnant women, and could revolutionize current malaria control strategies.

Malaria causes over 600,000 deaths annually, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa, and existing treatments and vaccines have limited efficacy, highlighting the importance of this new development.