GSK demonstrates ‘promising safety and tolerability profile’ for malaria vaccine

GlaxoSmithKline’s (GSK) investigational malaria vaccine has demonstrated a promising safety and tolerability profile, presented in a paper published in The Lancet.

RTS,S/AS02, the vaccine candidate, serves as first ‘proof of concept’ for protection against malaria in African infants.

The paper also shows that the vaccine candidate reduces malaria parasite infection and clinical illness due to malaria.

Jean Stephenne, president of GSK Biologicals – the vaccine division of GSK, outlined how the pharmaceutical company had invested $300 million (150 million pounds) into developing a vaccine that could be given to infants in Africa.

“Anticipating licensure, we are already working with our partners and with international donors to ensure that this vaccine is affordable and available to all who need it,” he confirmed.

The study was part of Phase II trial and was conducted by the Manhi?a Health Research Centre (CISM) in Mozambique and was funded by the PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative based on a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

GSK stated that the results were encouraging and that it would move forward towards a Phase III study which is required to definitively determine the efficacy of the vaccine.

Last week, GSK announced that Andrew Witty will join the company as chief executive officer designate.