Serum Institute of India is poised to ramp up production of its human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, aiming to supply it to the government at more affordable rates for a nationwide immunization campaign against the cancer-causing virus.
Adar Poonawalla, CEO of the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer by volume, informed Reuters that he anticipates the vaccine’s inclusion in the government’s program by the end of this year.
Currently priced at 2,000 rupees ($24.13) in the private market, this vaccine is India’s first domestically developed HPV shot, addressing a key factor in most cervical cancer cases globally.
Poonawalla remarked, “Our current capacity is limited to just a few million doses, but the demand is immense. If we were to supply 50 million doses in India, they would be quickly utilized, both in private and government procurement.”
The government plans to administer the HPV vaccine to girls aged nine to 14 as part of its initiative to combat cervical cancer, the second most prevalent cancer among Indian women. Although there is no formal agreement with the government yet, Poonawalla expects an initial procurement of 40 to 50 million doses through a tender process in December.
Competitors in the HPV vaccine market include Merck & Co and GSK Plc, both potential bidders for government contracts.
While acknowledging it’s too early to predict, Poonawalla emphasized their strong commitment to this product. He anticipates the vaccine to be “significantly cheaper, perhaps eight times less expensive,” when supplied to the government.
Serum Institute is also responsible for manufacturing AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine, branded as Covishield in India. However, their HPV vaccine facilities, previously repurposed for COVID-19 vaccine production, are not yet fully operational, limiting their overall capacity.
The company is currently seeking WHO pre-qualification, with plans to commence HPV vaccine exports to other countries by 2026.
