BRICS Countries’ Focus on the Development of Innovative Vaccines

At the third meeting of the BRICS Vaccine Research and Development Center, held on September 25, 2025, in Brazil, representatives from governments, scientific institutions, and national drug and vaccine regulatory authorities convened to discuss key issues related to strengthening the Center’s activities. Recognized as a strategic platform for the development of innovative, affordable, and life-saving vaccines, the Center has taken important steps toward producing effective vaccines for BRICS member states and improving global health outcomes.

One of the main topics of the meeting was the proposal to develop a tuberculosis (TB) vaccine, a disease for which more than half of global cases occur in BRICS countries. The next phases of the initiative include identifying interested partners, selecting appropriate technological infrastructure, and securing financial resources from the New Development Bank (NDB), the World Bank, and other multilateral financial institutions. The proposal was well received by participants, who emphasized its strategic potential in addressing a major public health challenge while advancing scientific and technological development.

In addition, discussions resumed on the framework of the BRICS Vaccine Research and Development Center, which had been proposed several years earlier. With the expansion of the BRICS bloc and the growing need to operationalize joint programs, governance and decision-making structures emerged as a priority. The next steps include consolidating political support from governments, reviewing the cooperation agreement, defining clear operational guidelines, and establishing a governance structure with representatives at decision-making levels to enable the Center to enter its implementation phase.

On the sidelines of the meeting, updates were shared from a previously held session of the BRICS medical product regulatory authorities. The role of this platform in promoting cooperation among national regulatory bodies, facilitating information exchange, signing memoranda of understanding, and strengthening regulatory processes was highlighted.

Overall, the meeting demonstrated the commitment of BRICS member states to transforming scientific cooperation into tangible outcomes and advancing the development of strategic, high-impact vaccines, paving the way for concrete actions and innovative vaccine production at the global level.