NEW DELHI, Jan. 4 (Xinhuanet) -- Indian scientists have developed an experimental vaccine against malaria which is likely to undergoclinical trials early next year, according to the Press Trust of India (PTI).

    It would probably be for the first time that a vaccine would gofrom the lab to trial site in a developing nation, V. S. Chauhan, Director of International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Delhi, was quoted as saying.

    Chauhan was cited as saying that this is the first cocktail malarial vaccine as it has two antigens (proteins) of the parasiteand it has been found to be effective against falciparum strain ofmalaria-causing organism. This strain affects brain of the malariapatients.

    Chauhan said that the proteins they have chosen are common to both the strains of the parasite. However, this vaccine was being tested against the vivax strain.

    The malaria parasite has three stages which make it difficult for a vaccine to succeed, he said, adding that this experimental vaccine targets the blood stage of the parasite.

    Chauhan added that the vaccine had undergone testing in mice and monkeys in terms of generating an immune response. But it needed to be tested in human beings to see its safety. Enditem