Malaria Fever

This project supports the development of a non-invasive diagnostic tool for malaria, focusing on validating the link between VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and malaria infection using thermodynamic sensors. This technology aims to provide rapid, painless alternatives to blood-based diagnostics, enabling malaria detection without invasive sampling. Trace Sensing has already identified six potential VOC biomarkers based on published literature specific for malaria. Two of these are part of the company's existing library and can already be detected in purified form by the TRACE-E device, while the others are under active evaluation. To confirm the suitability of the selected VOC biomarkers for diagnosing malaria and strengthen the detection algorithm, high-quality, robust clinical data from well-characterized biological specimens are required. In partnership with Gondar University in Ethiopia, breath samples will be collected from individuals (12 years and older) suspected of having malaria presenting at two health clinics. PCR performed on blood samples will serve as reference method to confirm infection status, while non-invasive clinical breath tests will be performed using the TRACE-E device. The resulting data will confirm whether the six candidate malaria VOC biomarkers can be detected in patient breath, and if other VOC biomarkers can be detected as well. This study will therefore act as a malaria VOC biomarker confirmation study.

The goal of the study is to test the efficacy using a homologous CHMI of this vaccine candidate early in the development path in a population living in malaria-endemic areas. In the previous Phase Ia and Ib trials, no efficacy endpoints were defined, and therefore there is currently no data on the SUM-101 vaccine efficacy. The proposed clinical trial will enrol malaria pre-exposed healthy adults and will be the second trial where the IMP will be administered to healthy adult participants in Tanzania with some pre-existing immunity against malaria. The vaccination part of this study will be performed in a randomised, double-blinded, controlled design to evaluate the safety, reactogenicity and immunogenicity of the candidate malaria vaccine SUM-101 (MSP1 with GLA-SE as adjuvant). Given that SUM-101 is a malaria vaccine with an important blood-stage component, we propose to use CHMI with the 3D7 P. falciparum strain-infected red blood cells to establish initial vaccine efficacy data after the third vaccination in a malaria-exposed population.