Bharat Biotech, GSK to slash malaria vax prices to less than $5 per dose by 2028
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The proposed price reduction will be driven by process improvements, expanded production capacity, cost- effective manufacturing, and minimal profit margins, they said in a joint statement on Wednesday.
The vaccine, developed by GSK, global non-profit PATH and partners, was the first malaria vaccine to be recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2021. The same year Bharat Biotech entered into a product transfer agreement with them to manufacture the vaccine in India.
As part of the pact, GSK will be transferring the technology for the antigen part of the vaccine to Bharat Biotech and has also granted a licence on all rights for the vaccine, with Bharat Biotech taking over the complete manufacturing of the vaccine by 2028 and enabling the price reduction to below $5 per dose.
GSK said it has made significant investments to enhance production capacity and efficiency, and to undertake the planned technology transfer to Bharat Biotech.
Bharat Biotech, on the other hand, has invested over $200 million in setting up new, higher- output manufacturing facilities, product development and technology transfers.
'These enhancements have enabled a phased reduction in the price of the malaria vaccine, starting immediately and fully realised by 2028, when the transfer of production between the two companies is complete,' the joint statement said.
Bharat Biotech executive chairman Dr Krishna Ella said the pledge is more than a pricing announcement and is a commitment to global equity, innovation, and collaboration.
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'By joining forces with GSK, and working closely with Gavi, and the WHO, we are taking a real step toward closing the gap between vaccine supply and the urgent needs of children at risk of malaria.'
GSK's chief global health officer Thomas Breuer said his company had partnered with Bharat Biotech in 2021 with a common goal to find a sustainable solution to malaria. 'The GSK team has worked hand in hand with Bharat Biotech to transfer the vaccine manufacturing technology, while simultaneously implementing crucial improvements in manufacturing efficiencies, resulting in today's pledge to the Gavi replenishment,' he said.
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