GlaxoSmithKline and Save the Children announce global alliance

GlaxoSmithKline is to collaborate with charity group Save the Children with the aim of preventing the deaths of one million youngsters in the poorest parts of the world.

The alliance will see the two organisations sharing their expertise, resources, reach and influence to address some of the leading causes of childhood mortality, initially focusing on programmes in Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Efforts will be made to develop an antiseptic used in mouthwash into a life-saving product for newborns and to roll out a powder form of an antibiotic in child-friendly doses to help combat pneumonia.

Additionally, Save the Children will aid GlaxoSmithKline's research and development efforts, while the organisations will also strive to expand vaccine coverage in poorer nations.

Sir Andrew Witty, chief executive officer of GlaxoSmithKline, said: "A partnership of this scale gives us an opportunity to do something amazing – to save the lives of one million children and to transform the lives of millions more."

Last week, the firm announced that it will be working with the GAVI Alliance to broaden access to cervical cancer vaccines across the world.