Bharat Biotech, GSK announce over 50% price cut for world's first malaria vaccine by 2028

Bharat Biotech International Limited and global biopharma major GSK on Wednesday said they will reduce the price of the world’s first malaria vaccine, RTS,S, by more than 50% to less than $5 by 2028.

The price cut is part of the two companies’ commitments to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, for its upcoming replenishment phase.

The price reduction will be achieved through a combination of increased manufacturing capacity, process optimisation, cost-effective production, and minimal profit margins, the companies said in a joint statement.

RTS,S, developed by GSK in partnership with PATH and other stakeholders, was the first malaria vaccine to receive World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation in 2021.

Since then, GSK has been scaling up production and transferring manufacturing technology to Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech, which has invested over $200 million in setting up high-output production facilities and R&D infrastructure.

In parallel, Bharat Biotech has invested over USD 200 million in new, higher-output manufacturing facilities, product development and technology transfers.

"These enhancements have enabled a phased reduction in the price of the malaria vaccine, starting immediately and fully realised by 2028, when the transfer of production between the two companies is complete," the statement added.

Backed by Gavi, 12 African countries are expected to have introduced RTS,S into routine immunisation programmes by the end of 2025.

According to the WHO, data from Ghana, Kenya and Malawi showed a 13% reduction in all-cause child mortality and a 22% decrease in hospitalisations due to severe malaria.

Malaria remains a leading cause of childhood mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, and RTS,S is part of a growing “toolbox” of interventions that together aim to significantly reduce the disease burden.

“This pledge to Gavi 6.0 is more than a pricing announcement. It's a commitment to global equity, innovation, and collaboration,” said Dr Krishna Ella, Executive Chairman of Bharat Biotech. “Through this historic announcement, we aim to change the course of malaria burden for millions of children and families.”

GSK’s Chief Global Health Officer Thomas Breuer said the price pledge “demonstrates our commitment to changing the trajectory of infectious diseases like malaria, making a difference in the lives of children and families across Africa.”