Davos 2025: Adar Poonawalla Talks Malaria Vaccines, Bollywood Debut And More

From Serum Institute of India helping combat mosquito-borne diseases to the impact of the US withdrawal of funding from the World Health Organization, Chief Executive Officer Adar Poonawalla shared insights on a range of topics on day three of the World Economic Forum 2025 in Davos.

He also spoke about his Rs 1,000-crore investment in Karan Johar's Dharma Productions and Dharmatic Entertainment in an interview to NDTV Profit on Wednesday. 

Poonawalla stressed on the urgency of addressing malaria and dengue, highlighting the pivotal role of vaccines. Serum Institute is "trying to reduce malaria in countries in Africa by providing vaccines that can save lives", the CEO said.

He called for collaboration between governments and private entities to develop affordable solutions, adding: "With our capacity and partnerships, we aim to ensure that every individual who needs these vaccines gets access to them."

According to the World Health Organization, from 2000 to 2019, there was a tenfold surge in reported cases worldwide increasing from 5 lakh to 52 lakh. The year 2019 marked an unprecedented peak, with reported instances spreading across 129 countries.  

The Serum Institute of India has been shipping the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine to African countries, which has an efficacy of 77%, according to Poonawalla.

Poonawalla raised concerns over the implications of the United States withdrawing funding from the WHO. He noted the critical role organisations like the WHO play in global health stating: "They maintain, sustain global standards for medicines and vaccines, and they're essential for maintaining global health systems, testing, research, and surveillance."

Poonawalla also called on other nations to step up and bridge the funding gap left by the US, noting: "We've been calling upon leaders and others here to step up to bridge that gap, because there are other countries who can and $500 million is not a huge amount in the grand scheme of things for countries to pitch in and contribute."

The US has long been the largest contributor to the WHO's mission, contributing $1.28 billion in 2022 and 2023 — $400 million more than Germany, the second-largest contributor. The US cedes its outsize influence to countries like China with the withdrawal, which can threaten vital health programmes.

On Oct. 21, 2024, Poonawalla announced his entry into Bollywood as a producer after he acquired 50% stake in Johar's Dharma Productions via his agency Serene Productions.

"I've known Karan for a long time and this opportunity to collaborate with such an iconic name and creator is quite interesting," Poonawalla said.

He also said that the aim is to produce films with meaningful messages, citing Gangubai Kathiawadi as an example of cinema that raises social awareness. "We'll see how to strategically use this to do good for people while also entertaining," he said.