States » SouthPosted at: Jun 26 2025 12:32AM


Hyd: Price of world’s first malaria vaccine RTS,S for children to be reduced by more than half: Bharat Biotech

Hyderabad, June 25 (UNI) Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) and GSK plc, a Global Pharma Company, today announced they will reduce the price of the world's first malaria vaccine 'RTS,S' for children developed by GSK, PATH and partners, by more than half and less than USD 5 progressively by 2028.
This price reduction is driven by process improvements, expanded production capacity, cost- effective manufacturing, and minimal profit margins, Hyderabad based vaccine maker BBIL said in a release here.
The announcement forms part of pledges to Gavi for its next replenishment phase (Gavi 6.0, 2026-2030) by both companies.
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 to undertake the planned technology transfer to Bharat Biotech.
In parallel, Bharat Biotech has invested over $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.
Through Gavi support, RTS,S is expected to be rolled out in 12 endemic countries in Africa through routine immunisation programmes by end of 2025
This has only been possible through the critical work that GSK has undertaken with Bharat Biotech, PATH, together with the WHO, implementing countries, MedAccess and Gavi, to help deliver access to life-saving malaria prevention for children in endemic countries in Africa.
BBIL Executive Chairman Dr. Krishna Ella, said: "Through this historic announcement, we aim to change the course of malaria burden for millions of children and families. 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”.
At Bharat Biotech, we believe technology must deliver on three essentials: safety, affordability, and accessibility. With this collaboration, we are turning this belief into real impact, with the aim of ensuring life-saving vaccines reach the communities that need them most, he added.
Thomas Breuer, Chief Global Health Officer, GSK, said: “We partnered with Bharat Biotech in 2021 with a common goal: to find 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. 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.”
The body of data generated from studies of the malaria vaccine developed by GSK, PATH and partners spans multiple years in malaria endemic countries, multiple seasons and in high transmission settings.
In a recent evaluation of impact by the WHO of the Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme (MVIP) in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi, where over two million children received the RTS,S vaccine between 2019 and 2023, the WHO reported a 13 percent reduction in all-cause mortality and a 22 percent reduction in hospitalisations of severe malaria among children age- eligible for vaccination during this period.
When administered seasonally in regions with high malaria transmission, alongside seasonal malaria chemoprevention, the two malaria vaccines recommended by the WHO, have been shown to prevent around 75 percent of malaria episodes.
Dr Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, said: “We are grateful to GSK and Bharat Biotech for their innovation and commitment to protecting millions of children and communities from malaria. With the support of our partners, Gavi has helped 20 countries in Africa – nations that together shoulder over 70% of the global malaria burden – protect their children, communities and health systems. 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.”
Dr Kwaku Poku Asante, Director of the Kintampo Health Research Centre, said: “Today’s announcement of a long-term price reduction by Bharat Biotech, with GSK’s contribution, marks a pivotal moment for the malaria community. Any lower cost vaccine means children in the most affected communities in endemic countries can be protected”.
UNI KNR RN
Tags: #Hyd: Price of world’s first malaria vaccine RTS#S for children to be reduced by more than half: Bharat Biotech
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