Printed from: https://www.cmf.org.uk/news/?id=7
The government has promised £300 million over six years for the development of a new malaria vaccine. The disease kills two million people every year.
Development of the vaccine, aimed mainly at malaria stricken countries in Africa, has been delayed by the uncertainty of financial reward for the companies making the product.
The vaccine could be reaching its final stages of development: the Lancet documents a trial in Mozambique conducted on 2,000 children in October 2004. Vaccinated children were 30% less likely to have been infected by malaria for at least six months compared with unvaccinated children.
The UK has committed to bulk buying the vaccine in advance to generate the market. The French government and the Gates Foundation are also expected to contribute.
The pharmaceutical industry believes that £1.6 billion is required for the final trials in up to 20,000 patients.
Source: bbc.co.uk 2004; 25 November, Independent 2004; 15 OctoberSteven Fouch (CMF Head of Communications) 020 7234 9668
Alistair Thompson on 07970 162 225
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