Wed Jun 25 19:08:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
**GSK and Bharat Biotech Pledge to Halve Malaria Vaccine Price, Targeting Global Equity**
**[City, Country – June 26, 2025]** In a landmark announcement poised to significantly impact global health, GSK plc and Bharat Biotech International Ltd. have committed to dramatically reduce the price of the world’s first malaria vaccine, RTS,S, by more than half. The companies aim to progressively lower the price to less than USD 5 per dose by 2028.
The price reduction commitment, announced Wednesday as part of pledges to the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) for its next replenishment phase, Gavi 6.0 (2026-2030), is driven by improved manufacturing efficiencies, expanded production capacity, cost-effective manufacturing processes, and minimal profit margins.
“This pledge to Gavi 6.0 is more than a pricing announcement. It is a commitment to global equity, innovation, and collaboration,” said Krishna Ella, Executive Chairman of Bharat Biotech International Ltd. “Through this historic announcement, we aim to change the course of malaria burden for millions of children and families.”
GSK Chief Global Health Officer Thomas Breuer emphasized GSK’s 2021 partnership with Bharat Biotech, and how it was meant to provide a sustainable solution to getting ahead of malaria. He added that, “This demonstrates our commitment to changing the trajectory of infectious diseases like malaria, making a difference in the lives of children and families across Africa.”
The technology transfer from GSK to Bharat Biotech has been a key factor, allowing for simultaneous improvements in manufacturing. Bharat Biotech has invested over $200 million in new, high-output manufacturing facilities, product development, and technology transfers to support the effort.
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance CEO Sania Nishtar said, “Our ambition is to protect at least 50 million more children across Africa by the end of 2030, and this collaboration between GSK and Bharat Biotech helps put this goal firmly within reach.”
The RTS,S vaccine, first recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2021, will be introduced through routine immunization programs in 12 endemic countries in Africa by the end of 2025, with Gavi’s support. The phased price reduction will be fully realized by 2028, coinciding with the completion of the production transfer between the two companies.
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