(Corrects malaria vaccine brand name to Mosqivac from Mosquirix in headline and copy in October 22 story)
Oct 22 (Reuters) – UNICEF and Geneva-based global vaccine group Gavi said on Thursday that they have reached an agreement to cut the price of the Mosqivac malaria vaccine by about 40%.
Here are more details:
• The deal, executed by UNICEF and financially backed by Gavi, is expected to generate around $50 million in savings between 2027 and 2029 and will bring the price of the vaccine down to €5.50 ($6.16) per dose
• The vaccine, called Mosqivac or RTS,S/AS01, developed by GSK and the non-profit PATH and is now being transferred from GSK to Bharat Biotech for future supply
• GSK is working on a technology transfer to Bharat Biotech, and will continue to supply the adjuvant part of the vaccine to Bharat when the Indian drugmaker fully takes over production of the shot by 2028
• The lower price is expected to take effect by early 2027, and it builds on the transfer of the vaccine’s production to a developing-country manufacturer, Gavi and UNICEF said
• The agreement is subject to regulatory and manufacturing milestones, which must be met before UNICEF begins procuring doses, including WHO prequalification of a new manufacturing facility
• “This new agreement follows major investment by both GSK and Bharat Biotech to help secure long-term equitable access to RTS,S/AS01 for many more children,” GSK’s chief global health officer, Harmony P. Garges said
• GSK and Bharat Biotech also said last year they plan to cut the price of the vaccine below $5 per dose by 2028
• Gavi and UNICEF also struck a deal last year to cut the price of another malaria vaccine made by the Serum Institute of India by 25%
($1 = 0.8928 euros)
(Reporting by Sneha S K in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid)
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