PfSPZ Experimental Malaria Vaccine Statement
August 9, 2013 -- ASTMH applauds the promising experimental malaria vaccine news released today by ASTMH past president and Sanaria CEO Stephen L. Hoffman, MD, DTMH, DSc (hon), FASTMH, CAPT, MC, USN (Ret.) and his team. Upon learning of these developments, Karen A. Goraleski, ASTMH Executive Director, issued the following statement:
"This milestone underscores the unique value that a US federal investment and industry partners can bring working together to reduce the human tragedy that malaria extracts. The trial was primarily funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH) with additional support from the Naval Medical Research Center (NMRC) and Sanaria. The NMRC’s lead investigator on this trial, ASTMH member Captain Judith E. Epstein, MD, represents the Navy’s more than five decades of commitment to developing a vaccine for malaria that will protect military personnel as well as the millions of babies, children and adults around the world who continue to suffer and die from this disease.
These results are promising and provide a concrete reminder that the US investment in tropical medicine at the National Institutes of Health and at the Department of Defense is necessary for transformative global health research efforts. A strong and sustained US Investment in research is the smart thing to do and the right thing to do."
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Related:
Sanaria's press release
Navy press release