Sail Biomedicines, an RNA-based programmable medicines company, has announced two grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to advance its platform to develop secreted monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and vaccines for malaria.

The grants will support two programs: the preclinical development of an eRNA-based vaccine for malaria and an effort to deliver eRNA that expresses a monoclonal antibody for the prevention of malaria. The preclinical program is designed to produce a malaria vaccine that drives potent and longer-lasting active immunity—and is potentially more efficacious—than existing options. If successful, the program could be the first of a broader portfolio of eRNA vaccines. 

“We are delighted to kick off 2024 with new funding from the Gates Foundation,” said Sail Biomedicines CEO Guillaume Pfefer. “The World Health Organization estimates malaria kills more than 600,000 people worldwide each year. Funding from the foundation will support the potential of Sail’s platform and will enable us to continue to advance our cutting-edge eRNA, with the aim of developing a potent and durable vaccine and monoclonal antibody-based therapy for this deadly, widespread disease.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/gorodenkoff)