In a significant development in the ongoing battle against malaria, Antibody Solutions, a distinguished entity in the realm of antibody discovery services, has recently garnered a substantial grant to advance the accuracy of malaria diagnostic tests. The $1.2 million aid from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation over a 15-month span is set to revolutionize rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) by enhancing their sensitivity, specificity, and overall efficiency in detecting various strains of malaria.

This innovative project comes against the backdrop of current RDTs’ limitations in effectively discriminating between different malaria strains. John Kenney, PhD, co-founder and president of Antibody Solutions, highlighted the critical nature of this challenge, noting the precision of diagnostic tools as pivotal in the expedient and efficient allocation of resources against this deadly infectious disease. The project’s core objective is to develop advanced antibody reagents capable of zeroing in on the plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase protein (pLDH), a key target in the malaria detection process.

The initiative by Antibody Solutions is poised to leverage Cellestive, its robust antibody discovery platform that amalgamates various pathways like hybridoma library, primary B-cell screening, and guided next-generation sequencing (NGS). Harnessing such a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach, typically reserved for the discovery of therapeutic candidates, underscores the ambitious nature of this project. Financial backing from the Gates Foundation effectively removes the common obstacles of budget and timeline constraints, enabling a full-throttle pursuit towards the discovery of highly effective reagents.

The challenge lies in the high sequence homology and conservation across different malaria strains, which complicates the creation of high-affinity antibodies specific to each form of malarial LDH. However, Kenney remains optimistic, drawing parallels to successful strategies previously employed in therapeutic candidate programs.

Upon successful realization, these groundbreaking antibodies are expected to be incorporated into lateral flow-based diagnostic tests, enhancing their reliability and overall utility in malaria diagnosis. The project also holds promise for making these advanced diagnostic tools readily accessible, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), through collaborations with public health experts and industry practitioners.

Antibody Solutions’ venture represents a merger of cutting-edge science with a mission-driven approach to confront one of the world’s most persistent health challenges. Housed in Santa Clara, California, Antibody Solutions has established itself as a global leader, serving over 800 clients, including the top ten global pharmaceutical firms, since its inception in 1995. The company’s unwavering dedication to facilitating the discovery of better diagnostics and therapeutics resonates through this pioneering initiative, marking a significant milestone in the fight against malaria. With a client return rate of 96%, Antibody Solutions’ contribution to healthcare innovation continues to set benchmarks, as it embarks on this crucial endeavor with the backing of the Gates Foundation.