Oxford University and the Serum Institute: Delivering the world’s first high-efficacy malaria vaccine at scale
Malaria remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, disproportionately affecting children in sub-Saharan Africa. For decades, efforts to develop an effective, affordable malaria vaccine have fallen short – until a groundbreaking partnership between Oxford University and the Serum Institute of India (SII) changed the landscape.
In 2019, Oxford entered into a licensing agreement with SII, facilitated by OUI, to enable the large-scale manufacture and distribution of the R21/Matrix-M™ malaria vaccine. The agreement granted SII exclusive rights to supply the vaccine in malaria-endemic regions, ensuring that scientific breakthroughs would translate into equitable, real-world impact and bring wholescale benefits to sufferers across the globe.
This tripartite collaboration – Oxford’s Jenner Institute for vaccine development, Novavax for the Matrix-M™ adjuvant (a key ingredient that boosts the body’s immune response), and SII for manufacturing and delivery – was designed from the outset to overcome barriers that have historically limited access to vaccines in the Global South. The licensing agreement prioritised speed, scale and affordability, with SII committing to deliver doses at under $4 each.
Clinical trials across Africa confirmed the vaccine’s safety and efficacy, with up to 75% protection in young children. In 2023, it became the second malaria vaccine recommended by the WHO and the first to demonstrate such high efficacy. SII has already built capacity to produce 100 million doses annually, with plans to double this based on demand of the vaccine.
The collaboration with OUI was described by SII as “fast, transparent and mission-driven,” with a shared focus on equitable access. With Gavi (the Vaccine Alliance), WHO and UNICEF supporting rollout, R21/Matrix-M™ is now reaching the communities that need it most – saving lives, reducing disease burden, and showing how research, licensing and manufacturing can come together to drive global health impact.
Impact
- Vaccine shows up to 75% efficacy in preventing malaria in children
- 100m doses of annual production capacity established by SII (200m targeted)
- Vaccine costs less than $4 per dose
- First approved in Ghana in April 2023 – since rolled out in several countries across Africa
We’re making a shift in what’s possible for malaria prevention by offering a highly effective, affordable tool to protect millions of children in malaria-endemic regions.
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