Bharat Biotech, GSK to cut malaria vaccine price by more than half by 2028
Bharat Biotech International Ltd and GSK plc on Wednesday said they will reduce the price of the world's first malaria vaccine for children 'RTS,S' developed by GSK, PATH and partners, by more than half to less than USD 5 progressively by 2028.
Announced as part of their commitment to the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi), the two companies said the price reduction is driven by process improvements, expanded production capacity, cost-effective manufacturing, and minimal profit margins.
Lower vaccine cost through collaboration
The announcement forms part of pledges to Gavi for its next replenishment phase -- Gavi 6.0, 2026-2030 -- by both companies, they said in a joint statement. "This pledge to Gavi 6.0 is more than a pricing announcement. It is a commitment to global equity, innovation, and collaboration. Through this historic announcement, we aim to change the course of malaria burden for millions of children and families," Bharat Biotech International Ltd (BBIL) Executive Chairman Krishna Ella said.
Further, he said, "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 Chief Global Health Officer Thomas Breuer said the company had partnered with Bharat Biotech in 2021 with a common goal of finding a sustainable solution to get ahead of malaria.
"Today, we announce GSK's contribution to the long-term price ambition of the world's first malaria vaccine, a key milestone achieved through collaboration with Bharat Biotech and partners from Gavi, PATH and the WHO," he said.
Breuer added, "This demonstrates our commitment to changing the trajectory of infectious diseases like malaria, making a difference in the lives of children and families across Africa." 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 the latest pledge to the Gavi replenishment, he noted.
Boosting malaria immunisation drive
With Gavi's support, 12 endemic countries in Africa will be introduced to RTS,S through routine immunisation programmes by the end of 2025.
RTS,S was the first malaria vaccine recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2021. Since then, GSK has made significant investments to enhance production capacity and efficiency and undertake the planned technology transfer to Bharat Biotech, the statement said.
In parallel, Bharat Biotech has invested over USD 200 million in 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," it added.
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance CEO Sania Nishtar said, "Our ambition is to protect at least 50 million more children across Africa by the end of 2030, and this collaboration between GSK and Bharat Biotech helps put this goal firmly within reach."
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