Global focus on Bavarian Nordic as mpox virus prompts WHO warning

Global attention is currently focused on Denmark, specifically on the pharmaceutical company Bavarian Nordic. For the second time in two years, the mpox virus, formerly known as monkeypox, has prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to issue a warning. Bavarian Nordic is one of only two companies worldwide producing a vaccine for mpox, with the only competitor being a Japanese firm whose vaccine is only approved in Japan. Bavarian Nordic’s vaccine has received approvals in several countries, including within the EU and North America.

Henrik Juuel, the company’s CFO, stated, “We believe we can help resolve this crisis and have the capacity to do so.” The new variant of the mpox virus has claimed 500 lives in Africa, where cases have exceeded 16,000, spreading from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to other parts of the continent, with infections also reported in Pakistan and Sweden. This variant appears to be more lethal than the outbreak in 2022.

Juuel expressed optimism for two reasons: vaccine production is ramping up, with 2 million doses expected by the end of the year and a potential output of up to 10 million next year, aligning with reported needs from African nations. Additionally, Bavarian Nordic has experience managing a previous outbreak and has ample vaccine stockpiles already available in various countries.

The only obstacle remains obtaining regulatory approval for the vaccine’s use in children in African countries. Still, Juuel is hopeful that emergency licenses can be secured promptly. Despite ethical concerns and the rising number of infections, Bavarian Nordic believes in its responsibility to support efforts in combating mpox, having recently donated 55,000 vaccine doses.

Juuel emphasizes the necessity of a coordinated international response to effectively address both the new and existing variants of mpox, stating, “Bavarian Nordic cannot tackle this challenge alone.”