Nucleus Network supports Patronus Biotech’s next step in malaria vaccine research
Advancing an investigational vaccine into human clinical research is an important milestone. It brings scientific development into a clinical setting, where participant care, study coordination and clinical expertise come together.
We’re proud to support this next step as Patronus Biotech prepares to advance three investigational malaria vaccines into a first-in-human Phase I trial at Nucleus Network in Melbourne.
Nucleus Network received Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) approval from Bellberry for the study on 19 October 2026. Congratulations to Patronus Biotech on reaching this important milestone, with first participant enrolment expected in December 2026.
Exploring a multi-stage approach to malaria vaccination
Malaria remains a major global health challenge, and exploring new vaccine approaches is an important part of the ongoing research effort.
Patronus Biotech’s three investigational vaccines use a virus-like particle platform and are designed to target three key stages of the malaria parasite’s life cycle. Together, the program explores approaches targeting Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, or both species at the same time.
The program includes:
- LYB014, targeting Plasmodium falciparum.
- LYB017, targeting Plasmodium vivax.
- LYB027, targeting both species.
Each will be tested with Patronus Biotech’s proprietary A02 adjuvant, a novel liposomal adjuvant containing fully synthetic active ingredients.
Assessing safety and immune responses
The Phase I study will assess the safety of these investigational vaccines and the immune responses they generate in healthy adult volunteers.
The trial will use a randomised, double-blinded, controlled, dose-escalation design. Its focus is to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the vaccines.
Immune response analysis will be conducted in collaboration with the University of Oxford’s Draper Lab, based at the Department of Paediatrics.
Supporting first-in-human research at Nucleus Network
For Nucleus Network, supporting early-phase research means connecting the needs of a clinical development program with the people and processes required to deliver it.
Clinical expertise is one part of that responsibility. Participant care, clear communication and careful coordination are equally central to the work. Together, they support the clinical research experience for sponsors, study teams and the volunteers who make research possible.
Our Melbourne team brings this focus to first-in-human studies, where close collaboration and attention to detail matter throughout study delivery.
We recognise the significance of this stage for sponsors. Moving into clinical evaluation represents the culmination of substantial scientific work and the beginning of a new phase of learning. Our role is to support that transition through a considered, participant-focused approach to clinical research.
Bringing teams together
Research programs depend on people working effectively across organisations and disciplines. Shared understanding, clear responsibilities and ongoing communication help translate a study plan into coordinated clinical activity.
We’re proud to contribute our Melbourne clinical capabilities to Patronus Biotech’s program. For our team, supporting this work means bringing together clinical expertise, participant care and the careful coordination that first-in-human research requires.
We look forward to working with Patronus Biotech and the wider study team as this program moves into clinical evaluation.