Bharat Biotech announces equitable pricing for Malaria Vaccine RTS,S/AS01

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Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) has announced equitable pricing with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and UNICEF for the world’s first malaria vaccine RTS,S/AS01, developed by GSK and now manufactured by BBIL under the brand name Mosqivac®.  

The agreement, executed by UNICEF and financially backed by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, will cut the price of the vaccine by approximately 40 per cent. This will generate around $50 million in savings to child immunisation programmes between 2027 and 2029 and reach up to one million more children with the full four-dose course. 

The agreement, enabled through an advance payment by the International Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFIm), will bring the price of the vaccine to EUR 5.50 per dose, a reduction of approximately 40 per cent from the price paid today. The lower price, expected to take effect by early 2027, reflects sustained efforts to shape a more sustainable and competitive malaria vaccine market.

RTS,S/AS01, developed by GSK, PATH and partners, was the first ever malaria vaccine to be recommended by the WHO, 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 and strengthen supply at a lower cost. These investments are supporting access to a vaccine, helping to advance its potential public-health impact.

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

A full immunisation course of four doses of RTS,S/AS01 reduces malaria cases by about 75 per cent when given seasonally in areas of high seasonal transmission.