WEHI Develops Malaria Vaccine Strategy Protecting Mice for 2 Years as Mosquito Bites Boost Immunity
Updated
Updated · News Hub · Aug 14
WEHI Develops Malaria Vaccine Strategy Protecting Mice for 2 Years as Mosquito Bites Boost Immunity
3 articles · Updated · News Hub · Aug 14
Summary
A WEHI-led preclinical study showed malaria parasites delivered by mosquito bites, paired with antimalarial compounds, protected mice from disease for up to two years.
The approach works by arresting parasites at the late liver stage—just before they enter the bloodstream—giving the immune system a broader preview of infection and triggering antibodies, CD8+ T cells and liver-resident memory T cells.
WEHI said subsequent mosquito bites then acted as natural boosters, reinforcing protection over time with smaller parasite doses than many current vaccine approaches require.
The drug candidates, WM382 and MK-7602, were developed with MSD and target plasmepsin IX and X; a long-acting injectable based on the compounds is already in preclinical development.
The findings, published in Science, point to a possible 'vaccinate and boost naturally' strategy for endemic regions, where malaria still kills more than 600,000 people a year and resistance is eroding existing controls.
Will targeting specific parasite enzymes revolutionize disease prevention by turning infected mosquito bites into life-saving immune boosters?
What happens if we stall malaria parasites in the liver just long enough for the immune system to learn their secrets?
Turning Mosquito Bites Into Immunity: The WEHI-MSD Dual-Plasmepsin Chemovaccination Breakthrough for Durable, Broad-Spectrum Malaria Protection
Overview
In 2026, WEHI and MSD introduced a groundbreaking malaria chemovaccination strategy that pairs low-dose parasite exposure with dual inhibitors, WM382 and MK-7602. These drugs block the essential enzymes plasmepsin IX and X, trapping malaria parasites at the late liver stage. This not only prevents disease but also exposes the immune system to a wider range of malaria antigens, creating strong, long-lasting immunity. Because these enzymes are highly conserved, the approach protects against many malaria variants and enables 'natural boosting'—future mosquito bites further strengthen immunity. Supported by advanced drug discovery and clinical trials, this innovation paves the way for long-acting injectables and a new era in malaria prevention.