Bharat Biotech joins Gavi-UNICEF deal to cut malaria vaccine price by 40%

Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) has joined hands with international partners to introduce an equitable pricing model for the world’s first malaria vaccine, Mosqivac, developed by GSK and manufactured by BBIL.

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

Vaccine price to fall to €5.50 per dose

The agreement, enabled through an advance payment by the International Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFIm), will bring the price of the vaccine to €5.50 per dose. The lower price is expected to take effect by early 2027.

Mosqivac (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 BBIL have invested $200 million in new, higher-output manufacturing facilities, product development and technology transfer to expand and strengthen supply at a lower cost.

“The Gavi–UNICEF deal is a far-reaching commitment to expand malaria vaccination and, according to Gavi/UNICEF estimates, can help ensure one million more children are protected from malaria. As partners in global public health, we have invested significantly to expand supply, strengthen manufacturing and support sustainable, affordable access to malaria vaccines,” Krishna Ella, executive chairman of BBIL, said.

Demand for malaria vaccines exceeds forecasts

Demand for malaria vaccines has exceeded initial forecasts since the 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% of the global malaria burden. At a time of an unprecedented decline in funding for international aid, efforts to create affordable and sustainable supply are critical to meeting the Alliance’s target of vaccinating 50 million more children against malaria by 2030.

“The new agreement follows major investment by both GSK and BBIL to help secure long-term equitable access to RTS,S/AS01 for many more children. At a time when global health resources are under increasing pressure — both for international organisations and for countries — partnership matters more than ever, and this deal with Gavi–UNICEF further demonstrates how close collaboration across the global health landscape can help deliver real impact for children most at risk of malaria,” Dr Harmony P. Garges, GSK’s chief global health officer, said.

One child dies from malaria every minute, equating to nearly half a million deaths each year. In 2024, there were an estimated 282 million malaria cases and 610,000 deaths globally, with up to 95% of cases and deaths occurring in Africa. Around 74% of malaria deaths in the region are among children under five.