Malaria vaccine trial for pregnant women launches in mali
NCT ID NCT05652504
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Sep 17, 2026 · Updated 57 times
Summary
This Phase 1 trial in Mali will test the safety of the PfSPZ malaria vaccine in 400 healthy pregnant women aged 18-34. Participants will receive three injections of either the vaccine or a placebo. The study will monitor both mothers and their infants for up to a year after birth to check for any harmful effects.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- PfSPZ vaccine (radiation-attenuated malaria sporozoites)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could show that the PfSPZ vaccine is safe for pregnant women, potentially leading to a way to protect them and their babies from malaria.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early Phase 1 safety trial, so it is not designed to prove the vaccine works. The study is currently suspended, and results may not show a clear safety benefit or may reveal unexpected risks.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 1
The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.
- Started
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Sep 2026
- Finished
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Sep 2026
- Lead sponsor
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A government research agency
The lead sponsor is the US National Institutes of Health.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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Up to 34 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
* INCLUSION CRITERIA: In order to be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria: * Willing and able to provide consent for study participation for herself and for her infant prior to initiation of any study procedures * Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability of both mother and offspring for the duration of the study * Healthy, pregnant women 18-34 years of age (inclusive) * Singleton pregnancy (confirmed by ultrasound) * Gestational weeks of pregnancy, confirmed by best obstetrical estimate, at minimum of 16 weeks 0 days and a maximum of 32 weeks 6 days of gestation at the time of the first dose of PfSPZ Vaccine and minimum 14 weeks 0 days and maximum of 32 week 0 days of gestation at the time of the first dose of IPTp --Note: women may be screened prior to 16 0/7 weeks gestation for dating of pregnancy * Documented first, second, or third trimester ultrasound with singleton gestation and no significant fetal anomalies or other abnormalities * Able to provide proof of identity to the satisfaction of the study clinician completing the enrollment process * Identified antenatal care provider outside of the study team * In good general health as evidenced by medical history * Willing to have blood samples stored for future research EXCLUSION CRITERIA: An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study: * Medical, behavioral, cognitive, or psychiatric disease that in the opinion of the investigator affects the ability of the participant to understand and comply with the study protocol * Hemoglobin (Hgb), WBC, absolute neutrophils, and platelets outside the local laboratory defined limits of normal per trimester and \>= Grade 2 (participants may be included at the investigator s discretion for not clinically significant abnormal values) * Alanine transaminase (ALT) or creatinine (Cr) level above the local laboratory-defined (per trimester) upper limit of normal and \>= Grade 2 (participants may be included at the investigator s discretion for not clinically significant abnormal values) * Infected with HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis, toxoplasmosis, rubella as documented by testing at screening * Sickle cell disease (HbSS or HbSC) or sickle trait (HbAS) by testing at screening * Clinically significant abnormal ECG such as abnormal QTc * History of receipt of the following: * Investigational malaria vaccine in the last 5 years * Immunoglobulins and/or blood products within 6 months of enrollment * Investigational product within 3 months of enrollment * Chronic (\>=14 days) oral or IV corticosteroids (excluding topical or nasal) at immunosuppressive doses (i.e., prednisone \>=20 mg/day or equivalent) or immunosuppressive drugs within 30 days of enrollment * Live vaccine within 30 days of enrollment * Non-live vaccine within 14 days of enrollment or planned receipt of a killed vaccine within 14 days of scheduled vaccination * Known medical problems: * Pre-existing autoimmune or antibody-mediated diseases (e.g. systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Sj(SqrRoot)(Delta)gren s syndrome, or autoimmune thrombocytopenia) * Severe asthma (defined as asthma that is unstable or required emergent care, urgent care, hospitalization, or intubation during the past two years, or that has required the use of oral or parenteral corticosteroids at any time during the past two years) * Immunodeficiency disorder * Asplenia or functional asplenia * Diabetes (inclusive of Type 1, 2, or gestational) * Deep venous thrombosis or thromboembolic event (current or prior history) * Seizures (exception is simple febrile seizures during childhood) * History of prior uterine surgery * Evidence of clinically significant neurologic, cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic, endocrine, rheumatologic, autoimmune, hematological, oncologic, or renal disease by history, physical examination, and/or laboratory studies * Medical, occupational, or family problems as a result of alcohol or illicit drug use during the past 12 months * History of a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis following previous vaccinations or medications * Known allergies or other contraindications against: PfSPZ Vaccine, human serum albumin * Positive screening testing or diagnostics for entities (pathogens, diseases) deleterious to pregnancy * Nullipara (P\<1) or grandimultipara (P\>=5) * Body mass index (BMI) at enrollment \>=30 * Prior or current pregnancy history of: * 2 or more spontaneous miscarriages * Any unexplained stillbirths * Any unexplained neonatal deaths * Infant with major congenital anomalies * Infant with known genetic disorder * Preterm deliveries (\< 37 0/7 WGA) * Severe pre-eclampsia and/or eclampsia * Gestational hypertension * Gestational diabetes * Red blood cell isoimmunization * Cervical insufficiency or incompetent cervix * Polyhydramnios or oligohydramnios * Premature contractions or preterm labor * Bleeding through gestation * Known intrauterine fetal growth restriction * Use of anti-coagulants during pregnancy * Receipt of progesterone during current pregnancy * Prior Cesarean section * Documentation that current pregnancy results from rape or incest * Other condition(s) that, in the opinion of the investigator, would jeopardize the safety or rights of a participant participating in the trial, interfere with the evaluation of the study objectives, or would render the participant unable to comply with the protocol
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Ou(SqrRoot)(Copyright)less(SqrRoot)(Copyright)bougou, Health Research Center
Ou(SqrRoot)(Copyright)less(SqrRoot)(Copyright)bougou, Mali
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