GlaxoSmithKline commits to tropical disease partnership

GlaxoSmithKline has signed up to a new industry alliance that aims to combat neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in developing nations.

The firm will partner with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the UK and US governments, as well as other pharmaceutical companies, in the hope of eliminating five of the 17 designated NTDs, while improving control of a further five.

To support this programme, GlaxoSmithKline will expand its significant albendazole donation programme, offering an additional two billion doses up to 2020, while it will also ally with the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative to develop new therapies.

Diseases that have been tagged for eradication under this new scheme include lymphatic filariasis, blinding trachoma, sleeping sickness and leprosy.

Sir Andrew Witty, chief executive officer of GlaxoSmithKline, said: "We have both the means and the energy to strike a decisive blow against disease in the world's poorest countries."

Last month, the company helped to unveil the new drugs laboratory in Essex that will be used to prevent doping during the 2012 Olympic Games.