Brazil and India have signed a strategic cooperation agreement to enhance technological and scientific collaboration in vaccine production. Signed by Health Minister Alexandre Padilha during an official mission to New Delhi, the initiative establishes a partnership between Fiocruz and Biological E Limited, focusing on research, technology transfer, and the joint development of vaccines.

The agreement reinforces both countries’ commitment to advancing biotechnology cooperation and strengthening Brazil’s technological sovereignty in the vaccine sector.

Joint development and technology transfer

The partnership lays the groundwork for collaborative scientific research and co-development of viral and bacterial vaccines through Fiocruz’s Bio-Manguinhos unit. Priority projects include the 24-valent pneumococcal vaccine, currently under evaluation, and the technology transfer of the 14-valent pneumococcal vaccine (VPC14) — enabling domestic production and supply to Brazil’s public health system (SUS).

This cooperation is expected to reduce external dependency and expand Brazil’s capacity to produce high-technology vaccines.
Scientific collaboration and intellectual property

The agreement also foresees technical and scientific cooperation, data sharing, and support for innovation in immunobiologicals. It seeks to foster a collaborative environment that encourages intellectual property generation, promoting joint R&D projects and patent development arising from shared research.

Biological E Limited will contribute its expertise in vaccine research and manufacturing, while Fiocruz will provide its production infrastructure, research network, and integration with Brazil’s regulatory agencies.

A strategic step for Brazilian biotechnology

This partnership represents a significant step toward Brazil’s technological autonomy, positioning Fiocruz as a key hub for biomedical innovation. The initiative also reinforces cooperation within the Global South, driving knowledge exchange and sustainable development.