Bilex Pharma is thrilled to announce a new strategic partnership with PATH, a global non-profit dedicated to health equity, to accelerate the development of our promising malaria vaccine candidate, BLX-MAL01. This collaboration brings together Bilex Pharma’s cutting-edge vaccine technology platforms with PATH’s extensive expertise in malaria and its decades of experience advancing vaccines for low-resource settings.
Addressing a Critical Global Health Challenge
Malaria continues to be a devastating global health challenge, disproportionately affecting young children and pregnant women, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite significant progress over the last two decades, the World Health Organization reported an estimated 249 million malaria cases and 608,000 malaria deaths worldwide in 2022. The urgent need for more effective tools, including next-generation vaccines, remains critical to achieving malaria control and elimination goals.
Combining Innovation with Implementation Expertise
Bilex Pharma’s BLX-MAL01 vaccine candidate is currently in preclinical development and employs an innovative approach targeting multiple stages of the complex Plasmodium falciparum parasite life cycle. Leveraging our proprietary delivery systems and adjuvant technology, BLX-MAL01 aims to induce robust and durable immune responses capable of overcoming the parasite’s sophisticated immune evasion mechanisms.
The partnership with PATH provides a crucial pathway to advance BLX-MAL01 through development and towards potential impact:
- Complementary Expertise: Bilex Pharma contributes its advanced vaccine design, platform technologies, and manufacturing capabilities, while PATH brings deep malaria expertise, clinical development experience in endemic regions, and established relationships with local research institutions and health systems.
- Accelerated Development: PATH’s experience navigating the specific challenges of malaria vaccine trials will help streamline clinical development planning and execution.
- Focus on Access: Integrating PATH’s insights from the outset ensures that considerations for affordability, accessibility, and suitability for delivery in resource-limited settings are embedded throughout the development process.
“This partnership with PATH represents a significant step forward for our malaria vaccine program and aligns perfectly with Bilex Pharma’s mission to tackle major global health threats,” said Dr. Andras Ottlik, CEO of Bilex Pharma. “Combining our innovative science with PATH’s unparalleled expertise in malaria and vaccine implementation creates a powerful synergy. Together, we are better positioned to develop a vaccine that could protect millions from this devastating disease.”
Dr. Ashley Birkett, Global Head of Malaria Vaccine Development at PATH, commented, “New, more effective malaria vaccines are urgently needed to regain momentum towards elimination. Bilex Pharma’s multi-stage approach with BLX-MAL01 is promising, and we are excited to partner with them. This collaboration leverages PATH’s expertise in malaria vaccine development—from preclinical stages through licensure and implementation—to help accelerate the availability of potentially life-saving tools for those who need them most.”
Next Steps and Future Outlook
The collaboration will initially focus on completing the remaining preclinical studies, establishing robust manufacturing processes suitable for large-scale production, and finalizing the clinical development plan in consultation with regulatory agencies and global health stakeholders. The goal is to advance BLX-MAL01 into Phase 1 clinical trials efficiently while laying the groundwork for future efficacy studies in malaria-endemic regions.
Bilex Pharma and PATH are committed to a shared vision where innovative science leads to tangible health impact. This partnership underscores our joint dedication to developing a next-generation malaria vaccine that is not only effective but ultimately accessible to the children and communities most vulnerable to this persistent global health challenge.
About Bilex Pharma
Bilex Pharma is a UK-based biotechnology company dedicated to advancing human health through groundbreaking research and innovative vaccine development. Our mission is to protect communities worldwide by combating infectious diseases and emerging health threats with safe, effective, and accessible vaccines, leveraging cutting-edge platforms including mRNA, viral vectors, and advanced adjuvant systems.
About PATH
PATH is a global non-profit dedicated to achieving health equity. With more than 40 years of experience forging multisector partnerships, and with expertise in science, health, economics, technology, advocacy, and dozens of other specialties, PATH develops and scales up innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing health challenges. Learn more at www.path.org.