Malaria Vaccine Breakthrough: Bharat Biotech & GSK to Halve Price by 2028
- Sean G
- Jun 26
- 2 min read
In a landmark move for global health equity, Bharat Biotech and GSK have announced a plan to reduce the price of the RTS,S malaria vaccine—also known as Mosquirix—to below US $5 per dose by 2028, marking more than a 50% cut.
Why it matters:
Malaria still claims over 500,000 lives each year, disproportionately affecting children under five in sub-Saharan Africa. RTS,S is the first WHO-recommended vaccine against malaria (2021), and lowering its cost is a critical step toward broader immunization coverage.
How it’s happening:
Bharat Biotech has invested $200 million in high-output manufacturing capacity and tech transfer from GSK.
Process efficiencies and minimal profit margin models make the price reduction viable.
Production technology will fully migrate to Bharat Biotech by 2028, with GSK continuing to supply the adjuvant componen.
Global rollout: "Supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, 12 African countries will introduce RTS,S into national immunization programs by end-2025".
Impact & Opportunities
Dimension | Details |
Access | Lower cost improves affordability across low-income communities |
Scale | Expanded capacity allows for millions more doses to be manufactured |
Public Health | Reduces severe malaria cases and child mortality in endemic regions |
Vaccine Equity | Sets a precedent for affordable pricing in vaccine-deprived nations |
Innovation Model | Demonstrates scalable tech transfer and sustainable manufacturing methods |
Beyond Mosquirix This initiative also sets a powerful precedent for future health products developed jointly:
Prioritizing affordability ensures higher adoption and health impact
Encouraging public-private partnerships tailored to global equity
Inspiring future vaccine commitments to low-resource markets
The RTS,S price cut is a model for the next generation of vaccine rollouts—from COVID derivatives to yellow fever and beyond.
The decision by Bharat Biotech and GSK to halve the malaria vaccine price is more than a pricing strategy—it’s a global health milestone. By merging innovation, investment, and partnership, they’re unlocking life-saving access for millions of children, building momentum toward a malaria-free world.
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