Archive · 22 Dec 2025
Bharat Biotech and Biofabri Partner for TB Vaccine
Two companies, Biofabri and Bharat Biotech, have teamed up to make a new vaccine for tuberculosis (TB), a serious disease that kills over a million people every year.
The vaccine, called MTBVAC, has already shown it is safe and works well in early tests.
Now, they are preparing for a big final test, called Phase III, which will start in early 2026.
Bharat Biotech will make and supply this vaccine to many countries where TB is a big problem, like those in Africa and Southeast Asia.
This is important because there are not many new vaccines for TB, and the old one is not enough to fight the disease.
Biofabri and Bharat Biotech have signed a technology transfer agreement for the production of the tuberculosis vaccine MTBVAC.
The technology transfer process has already begun to ensure manufacturing readiness by the time of MTBVAC licensure in India.
Bharat Biotech will produce and supply MTBVAC in over 70 countries across Africa and Southeast Asia, regions with a high TB burden.
MTBVAC has successfully completed Phase I and II clinical trials, demonstrating safety and immunogenicity, and is preparing for a Phase III trial expected to begin in Q1 2026.
TB remains a serious global infectious disease, causing over a million deaths annually, with a thin global vaccine pipeline and limited private-sector investment.
- Who
- Biofabri and Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL)
- What
- Signed a technology transfer agreement for the production of the tuberculosis vaccine MTBVAC
- When
- Technology transfer process has already begun; Phase III trial expected to start in Q1 2026
- Where
- India, with plans to supply to over 70 countries across Africa and Southeast Asia
- Why
- To enhance global response to tuberculosis, which causes over a million deaths annually, and to address the urgent need for new, effective TB vaccines
- Companies Involved
- Biofabri and Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL)
- Vaccine Name
- MTBVAC
- Disease Targeted
- Tuberculosis (TB)
- Target Regions
- Africa and Southeast Asia
- Clinical Trial Phase
- Phase III (expected to begin in Q1 2026)
- Global TB Deaths Annually
- Over 1 million
- High Burden Countries
- Low- and middle-income countries