Bharat Biotech and GSK slash price of world’s first malaria vaccine for children in endemic nations
Bharat Biotech and global biopharma company GSK slashed the price for the world’s first malaria vaccine, RTS,S, for children in endemic countries—by more than half to under $5 per dose by 2028.
This move was announced as part of their pledges for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance’s 2026–2030 replenishment phase, which is expected to accelerate the rollout of vaccines across 12 African nations by the end of 2025. The price reduction is aimed at making malaria prevention more affordable and accessible.
RTS,S—developed by GSK, PATH, and other partners—was the first malaria vaccine recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2021. Since then, Bharat Biotech has invested over $200 million in new high-output facilities and taken on the crucial technology transfer from GSK. The transition is set to be fully realized by 2028.
“With this historic announcement, we aim to change the course of malaria burden for millions of children and families,” said Dr Krishna Ella, Executive Chairman of Bharat Biotech through a press release.
Echoing the sentiment, GSK’s Chief Global Health Officer Thomas Breuer added, “Today’s pledge is the culmination of deep collaboration, investment, and shared purpose—to stay ahead of malaria and protect vulnerable children.”
Early results have shown the vaccine’s powerful impact. WHO data from Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi—where over 2 million children received the RTS,S vaccine between 2019 and 2023—revealed a 13% reduction in all-cause mortality and a 22% drop in severe malaria-related hospitalisations. When combined with seasonal malaria chemoprevention, the vaccine has shown up to 75% efficacy in preventing malaria episodes.
The announcement was welcomed by Dr Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, who underscored the significance of long-term affordability in the battle against malaria. “Our ambition is to protect at least 50 million more children across Africa by 2030. This collaboration brings us closer to that goal.”
While not a standalone solution, RTS,S adds a critical weapon to the malaria control toolkit, which includes seasonal chemoprevention, treatments, bed nets, and indoor residual spraying. GSK has also begun work on a next-generation malaria vaccine targeting different stages of the parasite’s lifecycle to further enhance protection.
The announcement shows how partnerships and innovation can drive down costs and expand access in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions.
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