GSK transfers malaria vaccine production to India's Bharat Biotech

The agreement includes transfer of manufacturing of the protein part of the vaccine, RTS,S/AS01, while GSK will continue to supply Bharat Biotech with the adjuvant or vaccine booster for the shot, the London-listed company said.

By ET Bureau | Updated: Jan 28, 2021, 08.10 AM IST

Bharat Biotech International has signed an agreement with GlaxoSmithKline plc and non-profit global health organisation PATH to obtain technology from GSK to produce the world’s first vaccine against malaria caused by plasmodium falciparum parasite.

As per the product transfer agreement announced on Wednesday, Bharat Biotech gets transfer of the manufacturing of the antigen part of the malaria vaccine (RTS,S/AS01E) and the grant of a license on all rights pertaining to the malaria vaccine, while GSK will retain the production of adjuvant of the vaccine to supply to the Indian vaccine producer.

In a joint statement, GSK, PATH and Bharat Biotech said the agreement will help ensure maintenance of long-term sustainable vaccine supply in the event of a WHO policy recommendation for broader use and a commitment of sustained funding.

The agreement with BBIL also builds on existing GSK commitments to donate up to 10 million RTS,S/AS01E doses for use in a pilot, and to supply up to 15 million doses annually until 2028 if the product is recommended for wider use by WHO.

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