On July 15, 2025, the MARVELS team at MLW was deep in preparation for the first-ever PnuBioVax (PBV) Controlled Human Infection Model (CHIM) study. This study aims to test a new protein-based pneumococcal vaccine, PnuBioVax (PBV), against the current standard, PCV-13, in a controlled human infection model (CHIM). The study is a significant step forward in the fight against pneumococcal diseases, particularly Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 3 (SPN3), a resistant strain to existing vaccines.

Pneumococcal infections are a leading cause of pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis, claiming over a million lives annually, especially in low-resource settings like Malawi. While PCV-13, which is a capsular polysaccharide vaccine (a conjugate vaccine), has been effective against many pneumococcal strains, SPN3 remains a challenge due to its unique biology, including a thick capsule that evades immune responses. PBV is a serotype-independent protein vaccine designed to target multiple pneumococcal proteins, offering broader and potentially more durable protection. PBV could revolutionize pneumococcal prevention, reducing transmission and disease burden in Malawi and beyond.

The PBV study brings together an exceptional network of professionals from across MARVELS’ specialized departments, including Clinical Research, Pharmacy, Microbiology, Immunology, and Data Science. Each unit plays a critical role in the study’s success:

• The Clinical Team ensures rigorous participant care and ethical oversight throughout the study.
• The Pharmacy ensures precise vaccine handling, preparation, and accountability.
• Microbiology supports advanced pathogen surveillance and sample processing.
• Immunology leads the analysis of host responses to vaccination, seeking new immunological insights.
• Data Management and Biostatistics power the study’s analytical backbone, ensuring the integrity and clarity of all results.

This synergy of disciplines highlights MARVELS’ commitment to scientific excellence, collaboration, and real-world impact.

The PBV study truly represents the essence of the MARVELS group, advancing transformative vaccine research through innovation, collaboration, and unwavering scientific rigor. This study exemplifies what’s possible when dedicated teams unite around a shared mission to protect health and advance medical science.

Stay connected for updates as the PnuBioVax study unfolds. MARVELS remains committed to sharing our journey, insights, and milestones with both the scientific community and public health stakeholders.