Shaperon and MMV join forces to advance game-changing, cost-effective nanobody treatments to prevent malaria

• Shaperon Inc. and MMV will collaborate to discover novel nanobody therapeutics – a new generation of medicines that can deliver big benefits via tiny molecules – designed as next-generation agents for seasonal malaria chemoprevention.
• The partnership will leverage Shaperon’s NanoMab™ platform to develop nanobodies – antibody fragments much smaller than conventional monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) – enabling superior uptake and more precise targeting.
• Nanobodies have the potential to offer a cost-effective solution for tackling complex malaria thanks to their higher stability and ability to be produced in bacteria.

Seoul, South Korea and Geneva, Switzerland, 26 November 2025 – Shaperon, a South Korean biotechnology company, and Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), a Swiss-based product development partnership, are joining forces to discover and evaluate next-generation nanobody approaches to develop affordable, long-acting chemopreventive malaria therapies.

The partnership aims to accelerate the development of next-generation, passive malaria immunization – an essential new tool that delivers target-specific antibodies directly to the body, unlike active vaccines that stimulate the immune system to produce them. This approach offers several advantages over conventional monoclonal antibodies, including better uptake, cost-effectiveness, and both immediate and durable protection against malaria infection – supporting chemoprevention strategies as resistance to current drug therapies continues to rise.

With almost 600,000 deaths and over 260 million cases annually,1 malaria is not just a public health issue, it is a massive economic strain.2 The disease primarily affects infants and children, as well as pregnant women and their unborn babies, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa. To stay ahead of the parasite and its growing resistance to current treatments, the discovery and development of next-generation medicines is essential. 

The new partnership originated from MMV’s recognition of Shaperon’s proprietary NanoMab™ platform as a breakthrough innovation. Shaperon will use its unique nanobody libraries and high-throughput screening to quickly identify anti-malarial nanobodies. The collaboration will combine Shaperon's protein engineering expertise with MMV's deep experience in malaria and compound development. It will create special molecules that can either focus on a single parasite protein or act on several proteins to fight the parasite at each stage of its lifecycle. This approach may also boost the immune system leading to immunization against the parasite, similar to the way in which vaccines work.

Brice Campo, MMV's Senior Director, Head of Biology and Novel Technologies, said, "This collaboration marks a significant addition to MMV’s growing portfolio of innovative technology approaches aimed at identifying novel anti-malarial products with the potential to eradicate malaria. We are excited to work with Shaperon on this innovative project.”

Shaperon will work with MMV’s global network and expertise to discover a single-dose mRNA-based NanoMab™ passive immunization that can withstand high temperatures (“thermostable”) and can be easily used in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Professor Seung-Yong Seong, Founder and CEO of Shaperon, commented, “As a spin-off from Seoul National University, support from a global health organization like MMV provides vital non-dilutive funding that fuels our R&D. This collaboration is a turning point for Shaperon, positioning us as a global leader in nanobody-based solutions for infectious diseases.”

MMV, together with its donor partner, the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will fund the strategic research partnership to test and develop promising nanobodies, with the goal of turning them into affordable treatments that can be used in vulnerable communities during the malaria season.

For press enquiries, contact:

Séverine Ougier
Communications Manager, MMV
Phone: +41793982170
Email: ougiers [at] mmv [dot] org

1. WHO World Malaria Report 2024
2. As highlighted in the latest The Price of Retreat – How underinvestment in malaria risks resurgence, lost growth, and a generation’s future report, written and produced by ALMA and Malaria No More UK