The Serum Institute of India has entered into a partnership with the Gates Medical Research Institute to manufacture an experimental tuberculosis vaccine, marking an important step in the global fight against one of the world’s most persistent infectious diseases. The collaboration aims to accelerate the development, testing and eventual production of a vaccine that could significantly improve protection against TB.
At the centre of the partnership is M72/AS01E, an experimental vaccine candidate that has shown encouraging results in previous clinical trials. Scientists believe it has the potential to become the first effective vaccine for preventing tuberculosis in adults in over 100 years, addressing a major gap in global healthcare.
Tuberculosis remains a leading cause of death from infectious diseases despite decades of treatment and prevention efforts. According to global health experts, India continues to account for the largest number of TB cases worldwide, making the search for better vaccines an urgent priority.
As part of the agreement, the Serum Institute of India will manufacture the vaccine for advanced clinical trials and prepare for commercial production if regulatory approvals are granted. The company’s large-scale manufacturing capacity is expected to play a critical role in ensuring affordable vaccine supplies for countries where TB remains widespread.
The vaccine candidate has already delivered promising outcomes during a Phase 2b clinical trial, where it significantly lowered the risk of developing active pulmonary tuberculosis among adults with latent TB infection. Researchers are now moving into larger Phase 3 trials to confirm the vaccine’s effectiveness across different populations.
Unlike the widely used BCG vaccine, which mainly protects children against severe forms of TB, the new vaccine is designed to provide better protection for adolescents and adults. Since adults account for the majority of tuberculosis transmission, an effective vaccine could dramatically reduce new infections and save millions of lives over time.
The partnership combines Gates MRI’s expertise in vaccine research with Serum Institute’s experience in manufacturing and global distribution. Together, the organisations hope to speed up the journey from clinical development to widespread availability.
The collaboration also highlights India’s growing importance in global vaccine production. Over the years, Serum Institute has supplied vaccines for diseases including measles, polio, meningitis and COVID-19, earning a reputation as one of the world’s leading vaccine manufacturers.
Public health experts believe the development of a successful adult TB vaccine would be one of the biggest breakthroughs in infectious disease prevention in decades. Alongside improved diagnosis and treatment, vaccination could significantly reduce the spread of tuberculosis in countries with a high disease burden.
India has set ambitious targets to eliminate TB and continues expanding screening, treatment and awareness programmes. However, experts say these efforts will become much more effective if supported by a modern vaccine capable of preventing new infections.
While the vaccine is still under evaluation and is not yet available for public use, the partnership signals growing confidence in its potential. The ongoing clinical trials will determine whether M72/AS01E can deliver long-term protection and meet international regulatory standards.
If successful, the collaboration between the Serum Institute of India and Gates Medical Research Institute could reshape global tuberculosis prevention. Beyond scientific innovation, it represents a shared commitment to making life-saving vaccines accessible to millions of people, particularly in countries where TB continues to pose a serious public health challenge.
Also Read: Samsung launches Music Studio series