MalVax 2027: The First Global Malaria Vaccine Alliance R&D Conference

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
31 January - 3 February 2027
In-person

About the conference

A programme shaped by the science submitted to this conference

The First Global Malaria Vaccine (MalVax) Alliance R&D Conference will take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 31 January to 3 February 2027, bringing together the international research and development (R&D) community to share evidence, strengthen collaboration, and accelerate progress towards next-generation malaria vaccines.

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It will also serve as a platform to share and collaborate on the newly launched MalVax Alliance Working Groups on clinical trial design and endpoints, assays, and modelling and share status of anticipated outputs.

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE

Scientific Conference Committee

With expertise spanning across the malaria vaccine R&D community, the MalVax Scientific Conference Committee (SCC) guides the scientific planning, abstract selection and delivery of this meeting.

Jake Baum
UNSW Sydney (Australia)
Rhea Longley
WEHI (Australia)
Melissa Kapulu
KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme (Kenya)
Catherine Mkindi
Ifakara Health Institute (Tanzania)
Muhammed Afolabi
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (UK)
Claude Muvunyi
Rwanda Biomedical Center (Rwanda)
Linda Amoah
Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (Ghana)
Benjamin Mordmüller
Radboud University Medical Center (Netherlands)
Joe Challenger
Imperial College London (UK)
Fitsum Tadesse
Armauer Hansen Research Institute (Ethiopia)
Carlota Dobaño
ISGlobal (Spain)
Eizo Takashima
Ehime University (Japan)
Denise Doolan
University of Queensland (Australia)
Josh Tan
National Institute for Health (USA)
Danika Hill
Monash University (Australia)
Laty Gaye Thiam
Institut Pasteur de Dakar (Senegal)
Jean-Philippe Julien
Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute (Canada)
Alfred Tiono
Groupe de Recherche Action en Santé (Burkina Faso)
Simon Kariuki
Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kenya)
Ashley Vaughan
Seattle Children's Research Institute (USA)
Epke Le Rutte
The Kids Research Institute Australia (Australia)
Barney Williams
University of Oxford (UK)

REGISTRATION: Early bird rates now available!

Register to attend MalVax 2027

Registration includes:

  • All Conference Sessions
  • Conference Catering (morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea)
  • Welcome and Evening Receptions

Low- and middle income country (LMIC) rate

Student / Post-doc rate
(early bird)
$50
Professional
(early bird)
$150

Standard rate

Student / Post-doc rate
(early bird)
$150
Professional
(early bird)
$400

Early bird rates are available for a limited time.
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Register now to secure the lowest price. Rates will increase later this year. All prices are in USD.

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

Abstract submissions closed on
14 September 2026

We are no longer accepting abstract submissions. Thank you to the many researchers of all career stages and partners from across the malaria vaccine R&D community who submitted scientific work to be considered. We plan to notify submitters by mid-October 2026.

Pre-Erythrocytic Vaccines (PEV)
Vaccine Immunology (e.g. vaccine immunogenicity, immune monitoring, surrogate markers)
Blood-Stage Vaccines (BSV)
Modelling related to any of the above
Transmission-Blocking Vaccines (TBV)
Lessons for clinical development (e.g. from social or implementation sciences)
Multi-Stage Vaccines
Adjuvants
Preclinical and Clinical Development
Vaccine approval and implementation as they inform R&D
Universities and academic institutions
Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies
Research institutes
Funders (philanthropy, foundations, bilateral donors)
Ministries of Health and regulatory authorities
WHO and other multilateral organizations (e.g. UN agencies, Gavi, Global Fund)
Implementing and technical partners (e.g. NGOs)
Care providers

Plasmodium falciparum vaccines will be the primary focus of the meeting, but abstracts covering Plasmodium vivax or multi-Plasmodium species vaccines, vaccines targeting malaria in pregnancy, or monoclonal antibodies are also welcomed for submission and consideration by the Scientific Conference Committee (SCC).

For more details, please see the Call for Abstracts

Timeline

July 22, 2026
ABSTRACT CALL ISSUED
July 31, 2026
REGISTRATION AND ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS OPEN
September 14, 2026
ABSTRACT DEADLINE
Mid October, 2026
ABSTRACT DECISIONS COMMUNICATED

PROGRAMME

Shaped by the science submitted to this conference

Our Programme will be shaped by the science abstracts submitted to this conference: aiming to represent all voices. The programme runs over three and a half days:

Day 1
MalVax Working Groups Pre-Meetings (morning). Opening plenary (afternoon), followed by official MalVax launch and welcome reception.
SUNDAY, 31 JANUARY 2027
Day 2
Scientific and poster sessions, and planned Working Group interactions.
MONDAY, 1 FEBRUARY 2027
Day 3
Scientific and poster sessions, and planned Working Group interactions.
TUESDAY, 2 FEBRUARY 2027
Day 4
Scientific sessions and closing reception.
WEDNESDAY, 3 FEBRUARY 2027

Meet in Malaysia

TRAVEL & VENUE

Planning your trip

The conference was originally planned to be held in Kigali, Rwanda. In light of the evolving Ebola outbreak in the region, the organisers completed a review of alternative venues across Africa, Europe, and Asia. The review prioritised ease of participation for colleagues from Africa and other countries where visa access has historically been a barrier, together with cancellation risk, flight connectivity from all regions, and suitable meeting infrastructure.

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Kuala Lumpur offers visa-free entry or straightforward online eVisas for most participants, strong flight connectivity avoiding Middle East transit hubs, and world-class meeting infrastructure. Travel and accommodation support will be available to encourage broad participation from colleagues in low- and middle-income countries, with further details shared at registration. As the meeting will not be virtual, selected abstracts will require in person attendance.

Night view of illuminated Petronas Twin Towers and surrounding skyscrapers in Kuala Lumpur city.

Planning ahead ensures a smoother journey. Review the latest requirements before booking your travel.

We anticipate that visas to travel to Malaysia will be straightforward. Nonetheless, all conference delegates are responsible for ensuring they meet Malaysia's entry requirements before travelling. Participants are encouraged to confirm the requirements applicable to their nationality before making travel arrangements. Please note that conference organisers will provide a letter of conference registration confirmation to support visa applications.

Malaysia eVISA Portal

Visa Requirements by Country

Smiling woman with curly hair wearing hoop earrings and a beige sleeveless top, sitting with a laptop.

Venue & accommodation

The conference will take place in Kuala Lumpur, 31 January to 3 February 2027 at the Shangri-La Hotel.

Accommodation:

A discounted room block has been arranged at the venue for conference participants. Click below to reserve your room using the special booking link.

If you wish to book additional days that fall outside of the dates available in the booking page: please complete the booking online through the link for the days that are possible with that link (Jan 31- Feb 4), and when you receive the confirmation email, send that to our contact at the Shangri-La (Isaac- issac.yeoh@shangri-la.com) to request additional nights be added to your reservation.

Getting there

The hotel is a 45-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Shuttle and transport guidance for delegates arriving from overseas will be shared closer to the conference dates.

TRAVEL SUPPORT

Travel Support Application

MalVax 2027 registrants from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) who require financial support to attend may apply for travel support. Please note that a limited number of grants is available.

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The financial support is intended to offset travel costs associated with attending the conference, so finances are not a barrier to participation.

FUNDER

Coefficient Giving

The establishment of the MalVax Alliance and the initiation of the inaugural conference has been made possible thanks to support from Coefficient Giving.

Sponsorship interest

Organisations interested in sponsoring the conference are encouraged to reach out to the MalVax Support Unit at Bridges to Development: