DENMARK – Bavarian Nordic has entered into a licensing and manufacturing agreement with the Serum Institute of India (SII) in a strategic move to enhance global access to its mpox vaccine.
This collaboration aims to bolster the production capacity of the MVA-BN® vaccine, known as Jynneos in several countries, to meet the growing demand, particularly in the Indian market.
Under the terms of the agreement, Bavarian Nordic will transfer the necessary manufacturing technology to SII, enabling the Indian firm to produce and distribute the vaccine locally.
This initiative is expected to expedite vaccine availability during mpox outbreaks and ensure a more equitable distribution across different regions.
SII, renowned as the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer by volume, will handle the regulatory approvals required for the vaccine’s production and distribution in India.
Paul Chaplin, President and CEO of Bavarian Nordic, emphasized the significance of this partnership, stating, “Scaling of global manufacturing is an important step to ensure the continued equitable access to the vaccine for all countries.”
Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute of India, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the collaboration’s role in protecting vulnerable populations.
This agreement follows Bavarian Nordic’s recent efforts to expand the reach of its mpox vaccine.
In September 2024, the company signed a deal with UNICEF to supply one million doses of the MVA-BN vaccine to African countries affected by mpox outbreaks.
This initiative, supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and other global health organizations, aims to address vaccine shortages and improve preparedness against the disease in the region.
The collaboration with SII is structured on a profit-sharing model, with no upfront or milestone payments involved.
Both companies will bear their respective costs related to the technology transfer, and SII will be responsible for obtaining and maintaining the necessary regulatory approvals in India.
Bavarian Nordic’s MVA-BN vaccine is currently the only non-replicating mpox vaccine approved in multiple countries, including the U.S., Canada, and those in the European Union.
