ABSTRACT
Support is requested for a Keystone Symposia meeting entitled Malaria: From Innovation to Eradication,
organized by Drs. Marcel Tanner, Sarah K. Volkman, Marcus V.G. Lacerda and Salim Abdulla. The meeting
will be held in Kampala, Uganda from February 19-23, 2017. The evidence base and research agenda for
malaria elimination and eradication are fast-evolving. Of foremost concern is the threat of resistance of the
mosquito to pyrethroid insecticides and emerging data showing multi-drug resistance in Southeast Asia. An
evolving area, with much to be understood, is the epidemiology of sub-microscopic infections and how they
fuel onward transmission. There is also a lot of progress; for example, in the development pipeline there are
candidates for a single-dose cure that can also provide protection and block transmission, and there are novel
classes of insecticides. Finally, in implementation science, there is plenty to examine, from mass drug
administration of anti-malarials to re-purposing ivermectin to reduce residual transmission. This Keystone
Symposia meeting will examine the scientific progress being made toward the goals of eliminating and
eradicating malaria, from biological challenges and discoveries, to the development of the next generation of
tools, to potentially transformative strategies to eliminate malaria. The ultimate goal of the meeting is to
provide a unique and needed space for the malaria community to challenge hypotheses and share emerging
data and insights from the different disciplines in a retreat-like setting where scientists can network, think
creatively and exchange ideas. For the sustainability needed to meet the challenge of eradicating malaria,
fostering these fruitful exchanges and lasting scientific partnerships is absolutely critical.
Relevance to NIAID: The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is a global leader in the fight
against malaria through investments in cutting edge research. The consistent and significant support of NIH to
malaria was recently documented in the 2015 G-FINDER annual report of investments in global health R&D,
which identified the US NIH as the top funder of malaria R&D. NIAID’s support of this Keystone Symposia
conference would make a contribution towards the goals of the NIAID both in terms of advancing the science
and also in terms of enabling active participation of trainees, women in science and of course experts from
malaria endemic regions.