Bharat Biotech cuts Mosqivac malaria vaccine price by 40 percent in Gavi UNICEF deal

Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech International Limited has signed a landmark agreement with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and UNICEF to reduce the price of its Mosqivac malaria vaccine by approximately 40 percent. Scheduled to take effect by early 2027, the price reduction will lower the cost of the vaccine to EUR 5.50 per dose, underscoring India's vital contribution to global healthcare equity and affordable drug manufacturing.

Financed by Gavi through an advance payment from the International Finance Facility for Immunisation and executed by UNICEF, the agreement is projected to deliver around $50 million in savings for child immunisation programmes between 2027 and 2029. These savings will allow global health authorities to reach up to one million more children with the full four-dose vaccination schedule.

Strengthening global health through Indian manufacturing

The Mosqivac vaccine is based on the RTS,S/AS01 formulation originally developed by GSK, PATH, and partners, which became the first malaria vaccine recommended by the World Health Organization in 2021. To secure affordable, high-volume production, GSK and Bharat Biotech invested $200 million in technology transfer, product development, and new high-output manufacturing facilities in India.

Executive Chairman of Bharat Biotech, Dr Krishna Ella, stated that the company has invested significantly to expand supply, strengthen manufacturing, and support sustainable access to malaria vaccines. He added that global organisations and national governments now have a crucial opportunity to accelerate vaccine rollouts so that communities at risk can benefit swiftly.

Tackling the global malaria burden

Malaria remains one of the deadliest threats to young children, claiming a life every minute. In 2024, an estimated 282 million malaria cases and 610,000 deaths occurred worldwide, with Africa bearing 95 percent of the global burden. Children under five account for nearly three-quarters of malaria fatalities in the region.

Demand for malaria vaccines has surged since rollout began in 2024, with UNICEF delivering over 74 million doses to date across 25 African nations. A complete four-dose course of Mosqivac reduces malaria cases by about 75 percent when administered seasonally in areas with high transmission.

Driving affordable healthcare access

At a time when international development aid is facing budget constraints, India's robust biopharmaceutical industry continues to deliver scalable, cost-effective solutions to pressing global health challenges. By expanding high-volume production of Mosqivac, Bharat Biotech is directly supporting Gavi's ambition to vaccinate 50 million children against malaria by 2030, demonstrating how Indian innovation and manufacturing capacity drive progress on the world stage.