Bharat Biotech and GSK cut price of world's first malaria vaccine to under $5
Hyderabad-based drugmaker Bharat Biotech and GSK have announced that the price of the world's first malaria vaccine, RTS,S, will be reduced to under $5 for children in malaria-endemic countries.This price cut is expected to improve access to the vaccine and could save thousands of young lives every year.The announcement, made on Wednesday, is part of the companies' pledge to the Gavi Vaccine Alliance for its 2026–2030 phase. The reduced price will come into effect gradually and be fully implemented by 2028.advertisement
Bharat Biotech says this price drop is possible due to improvements in manufacturing, larger production capacity, cost-effective processes, and a commitment to keeping profit margins low.WORLD'S FIRST MALARIA VACCINERTS,S is the world's first malaria vaccine recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Since its recommendation in 2021, GSK has invested heavily in improving production and transferring manufacturing technology to Bharat Biotech.In return, Bharat Biotech has invested over $200 million in new, high-output facilities and product development.By the end of 2025, the vaccine is expected to be part of routine immunisation programmes in 12 African countries with the support of Gavi.These efforts are backed by collaborations among GSK, Bharat Biotech, WHO, PATH, MedAccess, and the governments of malaria-affected countries.'This pledge is more than a price cut—it's a commitment to global equity. We are working to close the gap between vaccine supply and the urgent needs of children at risk of malaria,' said Dr. Krishna Ella, Executive Chairman of Bharat Biotech.advertisementThomas Breuer, Chief Global Health Officer at GSK, added, 'We've worked closely with Bharat Biotech and our partners to make this vaccine more affordable and accessible. Today's announcement marks a big step toward changing the future of malaria prevention.'For families and communities in regions where malaria has taken a heavy toll, the reduction in the vaccine cost could help in the global effort to control and eventually eliminate the disease.- Ends
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