Bavarian Nordic A/S has announced a licence and manufacturing agreement with Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd. (SII) for its MVA-BN mpox vaccine.

As part of this collaboration, the companies will execute a technology transfer of the existing manufacturing process for MVA-BN to SII. This will enable SII to supply the vaccine to the Indian market, for which it has obtained exclusive rights to sell and distribute the vaccine.

Additionally, subject to necessary regulatory approvals, SII will undertake contract manufacturing of MVA-BN for Bavarian Nordic, thereby expanding global manufacturing capacity and ensuring sufficient supply during mpox outbreaks.

The agreement is structured on a profit-sharing model without any upfront or milestone payments. SII will be responsible for securing and maintaining regulatory approvals for the vaccine in India, while both parties will bear their respective costs associated with the technology transfer.

Bavarian Nordic continues to seek further partnerships, including with African manufacturers, to promote equitable access to MVA-BN worldwide.

Adar Poonawalla, CEO, Serum Institute of India, said, “Our mission has always been to deliver high-quality, affordable vaccines worldwide. The recent mpox outbreak underscores the critical need for a swift and coordinated response. Partnering with Bavarian Nordic on the MVA-BN mpox vaccine reflects our shared commitment to protect millions at risk. Leveraging our manufacturing strength and rapid response capabilities, we aim to enhance epidemic preparedness and expand access to life-saving vaccines, safeguarding vulnerable populations and easing the global burden of mpox.”

Paul Chaplin, President and CEO of Bavarian Nordic, said: “We are pleased to enter this license and manufacturing agreement for MVA-BN as an mpox vaccine, which represents significant progress in our endeavors to expand access to the vaccine for all populations. While there are currently no capacity constraints, scaling of global manufacturing is an important step to ensure the continued equitable access to the vaccine for all countries, and we are pleased to establish this collaboration with SII, the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer by volume. We continue to work with partners globally to explore additional opportunities for local manufacturing to further support vaccine supply.”

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