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Bavarian Nordic signs mpox vax deal with Serum Institute of India

December 17, 2024

Bavarian Nordic's partnership with the Serum Institute of India (SII) marks a crucial step in scaling global access to the MVA-BN mpox vaccine. Through technology transfer, SII will produce and distribute the vaccine in India while also serving as a contract manufacturer for Bavarian Nordic. This agreement enhances vaccine supply capacity without upfront costs, using a profit-sharing model. With the European Medicines Agency approving the vaccine for adolescents, this partnership strengthens epidemic preparedness worldwide. SII’s manufacturing expertise promises affordable, timely vaccine distribution, advancing global health equity amid the ongoing mpox outbreak.

Bavarian Nordic's recent licensing and manufacturing agreement with the Serum Institute of India (SII) is a pivotal development in the global fight against mpox. The partnership facilitates the production and distribution of the MVA-BN mpox vaccine in India, expanding manufacturing capacity and ensuring broader access during health emergencies.

Under the agreement, SII will manufacture the vaccine and distribute it within India after securing regulatory approvals. This collaboration operates on a profit-sharing model, eliminating upfront or milestone payments, which could expedite vaccine production and reduce financial barriers. Bavarian Nordic and SII will equally share the costs of the technology transfer, demonstrating a commitment to long-term global health investment.

Bavarian Nordic's strategic focus on forging additional partnerships with African manufacturers further highlights its goal of promoting equitable vaccine distribution in underserved regions. This approach is timely, given the European Medicines Agency's recent approval of the MVA-BN vaccine for adolescents, potentially broadening access across Africa and beyond.

SII CEO Adar Poonawalla emphasized the company's mission to provide high-quality, affordable vaccines worldwide, acknowledging the urgent need for coordinated responses amid the ongoing mpox outbreak. By leveraging SII's large-scale manufacturing capabilities, this collaboration strengthens epidemic preparedness while reducing the global mpox burden.

In a world where pandemics increasingly threaten public health, partnerships like this offer a blueprint for efficient, cost-effective, and equitable vaccine distribution. As Bavarian Nordic and SII pave the way for expanded vaccine access, they reaffirm the critical role of international collaboration in addressing pressing global health challenges.

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