GSK backs GAVI Alliance vaccines decision

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has welcomed the decision by the GAVI Alliance committing to purchase vaccines against rotavirus and pneumococcal diseases.

The company stated that this decision was “proof” that effective co-operation is possible in the global health community and evidence that the alliance was showing leadership in assisting to guarantee that children in developing countries have access to life-saving technologies of the highest quality.

Jean Stephenne, president and general manager of GSK Biologicals, said: “We are proud that scientists at GSK Biologicals have devoted years to develop effective vaccines against these killers.”

He added that the company had a vaccine against rotavirus registered in 75 countries across the world and had a candidate pneumoccocal vaccine currently in the later stages of clinical development.

GSK commits a third of its vaccine research and development pipeline investigating diseases that primarily affect the developing world and states that GAVI eligible countries can benefit from a tiered pricing model that provides affordable vaccines.

In September, GSK announced that it would invest 500 million euro (337.4 million pounds) into its vaccine manufacturing plant in St-Amand-Les-Eaux in France.

The investment is aimed at increasing production capacity of the plant to manage a rising demand worldwide for vaccines.