Latest inventions in science and technology
R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine
- Gavi and UNICEF signed a new agreement to make the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine more accessible and affordable.
- UNICEF is the world’s largest vaccine buyer, procuring nearly 3 billion doses annually.
WHO has prequalified two malaria vaccines:
- R21/Matrix-M – co-developed by University of Oxford + Serum Institute of India, using Novavax’s Matrix-M adjuvant.
- RTS,S/AS01 – developed by GSK, PATH and partners.
About GAVI the Vaccine Alliance
- It is an independent public–private global health partnership established in 2000.
- Its core mission is to improve access to new and underused vaccines for children in the world’s poorest countries.
- Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
- It brings together developing country and donor governments, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the World Bank, the vaccine industry, research and technical agencies, civil society organizations, and private philanthropists.
Solaras S2 nano satellite Mission
- Grahaa Space, a Bengaluru-based spacetech startup, has received authorisation from IN–SPACe to launch its first nano satellite mission, Solaras S2.
- The mission is a technology demonstration, planned for launch by the end of November.
- The launch will happen from Alcântara Space Center (CEA) located in Brazil through the Hanbit-Nano launch vehicle developed by Korea-based Innospace.
