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GlaxoSmithKline seeks approval for world’s first malaria vaccine
GLAXOSMITHKLINE yesterday said it had applied for EU approval for the world’s first malaria vaccine, although the drug would be used solely for children in Africa.
The FTSE 100-listed pharmaceuticals giant, which on Wednesday cut its full-year earnings outlook due to slow US lung drug sales, said the European Medicines Agency (EMA) would evaluate the RTS,S vaccine, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Around 90 per cent of deaths from malaria occur in sub-Saharan Africa and 77 per cent of those are in the under-fives.
No effective vaccine is available and GSK has been working on this one for the past 30 years.
The WHO may recommend the drug’s use from 2015, dependent on the EMA decision.