GlaxoSmithKline commits to vaccine alliance for poorer countries

GlaxoSmithKline has agreed to become part of a global alliance which will see it supply doses of pneumococcal illness vaccine to developing nations during the coming decade.

The company is to collaborate with the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation and Unicef to provide 300 million doses of its treatment Synflorix to child patients in Africa at a significantly discounted rate.

This commitment comes as part of the Advance Market Commitment (AMC) pilot project, a G8-backed scheme which will assist in bankrolling the cost of the vaccines.

Andrew Witty, chief executive officer of GlaxoSmithKline, said the initiative will help to close the “unacceptable” time gap in the availability of vaccines between rich nations and developing countries.

He added: “The coalition that has made this possible is providing new means to transform global public health.”

Earlier this month, the company opened a new facility in India for the production of albendazole in order to support a global programme to combat lymphatic filariasis.