Malaria immunity and vaccine research

Special PES, based on the attached special evaluation (XD-AAJ-102-A), covers the period l/78-l2/80. The AID-funded collaborative network of 11 research laboratories has achieved major breakthroughs in developing a system to grow malaria outside an animal, thus making available a greater number of parasites for research; in immunizing monkeys against the most lethal human malaria; and in research with the malarial antigen. Investigators are and will continue to follow four parallel research routes -- hybridoma technology, in-vitro culture systems, antigen characterization and purification, and Aotus monkey biology. Recommended actions include: (1) updating A.I.D."s Malaria Research Strategy Statement; (2) developing a Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) chart to identify in logical sequence the total activities required to produce a viable malaria vaccine; (3) standardizing research protocols for selection and characterization of malaria isolates for research, immunization, and data recording and analysis procedures; (4) considering potential problems over patent rights to an anti-malarial vaccines; and (5) organizing a joint A.I.D/World Health Organization workshop in Washington during 3/82 or 4/82.