The National Institutes of Health have discovered and developed a new monoclonal antibody which has been found to prevent malaria for up to 9 months in individuals exposed to the malaria parasite in a new study.

The small clinical trial is the first study to show that an antibody can prevent malaria in people. The study suggests that a single infusion of this monoclonal antibody can provide protection against malaria for a period of at least 9 months; however, more research is needed to confirm these findings, said Anthony Fauci, Director of NIAID. In the study, 25 individuals were given at least one dose of an antibody called CIS43LS, and four of them were given a second dose as well. Among individuals who had never had malaria infection or vaccination, the antibody was capable of preventing malaria. Fifteen study participants were bitten by mosquitoes carrying the parasite. They were closely observed. Nine of these subjects had received the antibody, and none of them developed malaria. However, the other six had received a placebo, and five developed malaria. The findings are published in The New England Journal of Medicine… (Medscape)