GlaxoSmithKline has formed a new partnership with Comic Relief with the aim of fighting malaria and improving health in developing nations.

The five-year alliance will target the five countries worst affected by the disease, with the aim of strengthening local health systems' capabilities to fight malaria, which still claims almost half a million lives every year.

“GlaxoSmithKline and Comic Relief have formed a five-year partnership to fight malaria and strengthen health systems in countries worst affected by the disease.“

A new fund, created through a 17 million pound donation from GlaxoSmithKline and five million pounds from Comic Relief, will provide targeted grants to organisations working on the frontline in malaria-endemic countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.

These grants will be made and managed by Comic Relief to complement current malaria programmes and help build sustainable ways to ensure people can access diagnosis and prevention services.

Ramil Burden, vice-president for Africa and developing countries at GlaxoSmithKline, said: "GlaxoSmithKline has long been involved in battling this disease, but we know more needs to be done; we are delighted to partner with Comic Relief, who bring a deep understanding of supporting communities to improve health and prospects."

The partnership aims to support the World Health Organization's target to cut malaria case incidence and mortality rates by 90 percent over the next 15 years.