The PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI), Merck (MSD), and NYU Langone Medical Center announced that they are working together to evaluate an approach targeting the circumsporozoite protein (CSP), a major surface protein on the malaria parasite. The organizations said that researchers working on this project are focusing on a new approach that targets a region of CSP important to a critical function of the protein. By blocking this function, it is hoped that invasion of the parasite into the liver, an essential step in causing malaria disease, can be prevented. Dr. Elizabeth Nardin, professor in the Department of Medical Parasitology at NYU Langone Medical Center, said, “We think we can improve the way sub-unit vaccines are designed by strategically targeting this critical protein function. Other vaccine approaches targeting CSP have required extremely high levels of antibody, which are difficult to elicit and to maintain. This approach has the potential to address that problem.” Dr. Christian Loucq, director of MVI, said, “We are very pleased that one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies and a major academic medical center have committed to testing a promising new way to defend children against malaria.” More technical detail at:

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20101213006891/en/PATH-Malaria-Vaccine-Initiative-Merck-NYU-Langone