GlaxoSmithKline publishes positive trial data for malaria vaccine

GlaxoSmithKline has published positive new trial data from a clinical study of its innovative new malaria vaccine RTS,S.

First results from an ongoing large-scale phase III study of the innovative therapy has shown it is able to provide young patients with significant protection against clinical and severe malaria, while offering acceptable safety and tolerability.

The study is being conducted at 11 trial sites across seven sub-Saharan African nations to assess the efficacy of the promising new drug, which has been developed jointly with the PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative.

Long-term data for the drug will be available in 2014, 30 months after the third dosage, which should provide sufficient evidence for its safety and efficacy to be conclusively evaluated.

Andrew Witty, chief executive officer of GlaxoSmithKline, said: "This data bring us to the cusp of having the world's first malaria vaccine, which has the potential to significantly improve the outlook for children living in malaria endemic regions across Africa."

Earlier this month, the pharmaceutical company agreed a new alliance with the US National Comprehensive Cancer Network that will focus on research into new melanoma drugs.