Photo Source : PATH Malawi (Henry Nyaka and Esau Mkisi)
The Bill and Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute (Gates MRI) has announced that Malawi is among seven countries across the world to benefit from Phase 3 clinical trial for TB vaccine.
In a press release, Gates MRI says the phase 3 clinical trial is aimed at assessing the efficacy of the M72/ASO1E tuberculosis (TB) vaccine candidate.
If shown to be well-tolerant and effective, the vaccine could potentially become the first to help prevent pulmonary TB in adolescents and adults.
Pulmonary TB is the most common form of the disease.
Currently, the only available TB vaccine is BCG, which protects babies and children against severe forms of TB.
CEO of Gates MRI, Dr Emini Emilio says the launch of the Phase 3 trial demonstrates their commitment to harnessing the power of medical innovation to fight diseases like TB.
Emilio further said the trials in Malawi will start immediately after the first doses are fully distributed in South Africa where TB has taken a toll.
It is anticipated that the trails will take up to 5 years and will be followed by data analysis and preparation for submission of data to regulatory authorities.
Other countries that have also been earmarked for the trials are South Africa, Zambia, Mozambique, Kenya, Indonesia and Vietnam.
Gates MRI is a non-profit organisation and subsidiary of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
By Alufisha Fischer
