Bharat Biotech Announces Equitable Pricing Agreement for Malaria Vaccine with Gavi and UNICEF

Bharat Biotech International (BBIL) on Thursday announced an equitable pricing agreement with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and UNICEF for the world's first malaria vaccine. Developed originally by GSK and now manufactured by BBIL under the brand name Mosqivac, the vaccine's new pricing structure is set to take effect by early 2027.

The agreement was executed by UNICEF and financially backed by Gavi, with enabled advance payments through the International Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFIm). Under the terms of the deal, the price of the vaccine will be brought down to EUR 5.50 per dose, marking a reduction of approximately 40 per cent from current prices.

According to project estimates, the lowered pricing will generate around $50 million in savings for child immunisation programmes between 2027 and 2029. Furthermore, the cost reduction is projected to help reach up to one million more children with the full four-dose course.

The RTS,S/AS01 vaccine was originally developed by GSK, PATH, and partners, and became the first malaria vaccine to receive a recommendation from the World Health Organization in 2021. Since then, GSK and Bharat Biotech have invested $200 million in new, higher-output manufacturing facilities, product development, and technology transfer to expand supply and lower costs.

Demand for malaria vaccines has consistently exceeded initial forecasts since the rollout began in 2024. To date, UNICEF has procured and delivered more than 74 million doses. The Gavi-funded malaria program is currently part of routine immunisation in 25 African countries, which bear more than 70 per cent of the global malaria burden.

Krishna Ella, Executive Chairman of BBIL, stated that the company has invested significantly to expand supply, strengthen manufacturing, and support sustainable, affordable access. He noted that countries and global organizations must now accelerate vaccine introductions to ensure at-risk children and communities benefit.

Harmony P. Garges, GSK's Chief Global Health Officer, added that the agreement follows major investments by both GSK and BBIL to secure long-term equitable access to the vaccine for more children. The effort comes amid a decline in funding for international aid, making affordable and sustainable supply critical to meeting Gavi's target of vaccinating 50 million more children against malaria by 2030.

"This pricing agreement demonstrates how strategic manufacturing investments and international partnerships can directly lower healthcare costs at scale. By reducing the per-dose price by 40 per cent and securing significant savings for child immunisation programmes, Bharat Biotech and its global partners are addressing critical supply chain and accessibility challenges in public health. For the broader business ecosystem, it highlights the importance of long-term capital deployment in manufacturing infrastructure to drive both operational efficiency and social impact." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes