Glaxo Smith Kline (LON:GSK) have become the first drug company to be given approval from European Medicines Agency for a malaria vaccine.
Mosquirix, which is designed primarily for use on children, has been in development for 30 years. Currently the only drugs available are oral tablets. The drug has completed its safety review and could soon be used for immunisation across sub-Saharan Africa and is set to make a significant difference.
Andrew Witty, chief executive of GSK, said:
Today’s scientific opinion represents a further important step towards making available for young children the world’s first malaria vaccine.
GSK have said that they will not be making a profit on the drug, despite it costing them £236m so far to develop.
GSK’s share price is staying relatively steady, currently up 0.18%. It is one of the UK’s leading healthcare companies, who research and develop pharmaceuticals, vaccines and consumer healthcare products.
