Bavarian Nordic Expands Mpox Vaccine Production Following WHO Alert

Following the World Health Organization's (WHO) declaration of a global health emergency for mpox, Bavarian Nordic is preparing to ramp up production of its Jynneos vaccine. The Danish pharmaceutical company, which played a key role in curbing the first mpox outbreak in 2022-2023, announced plans to manufacture up to 2 million doses this year and 8 million doses by 2025, focusing on containing the virus in Africa. Discussions are underway with the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to expand vaccine manufacturing on the continent.

Bavarian Nordic’s Jynneos vaccine is currently the only approved vaccine for mpox, and the company is taking steps to ensure equitable access, particularly in regions heavily impacted by the latest outbreak. The current mpox outbreak has been detected in 13 African countries, with the Democratic Republic of Congo accounting for the majority of cases and deaths. To address this, Bavarian Nordic is conducting clinical studies to expand the vaccine's use to children and seeking regulatory approval for its use in adolescents.

The company’s response to the outbreak has garnered significant attention, including a 48% increase in its share price since the WHO's emergency declaration. Bavarian Nordic recently secured a $157 million contract with the U.S. government to replenish the country's stockpile of Jynneos vaccines, following its commercial launch in the U.S. earlier this year. In 2023, Jynneos sales contributed significantly to Bavarian Nordic’s revenue, highlighting the vaccine's crucial role in the global response to mpox.

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