NY Times Editorial: The Glaxo-Gates Malaria Vaccine

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December 14, 2008

NY Times Editorial

The Glaxo-Gates Malaria Vaccine

Researchers have been trying for more than 70 years to develop a

vaccine against the elusive malaria parasite without notable success.

Two studies conducted in East Africa suggest that they are finally

closing in on their goal.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation deserves huge credit for

enabling this research to go forward when the drug manufacturer was

unwilling, on its own, to take the financial risk to try to develop a

vaccine.

The new studies showed that the most advanced candidate vaccine —

made by GlaxoKline — cut illnesses in infants and young children

by more than half and could safely be given with other childhood

vaccines that are already routinely administered throughout Africa.

The results were published in The New England Journal of Medicine,

along with an editorial that called the vaccine's performance

a " hopeful beginning " toward prevention of the disease.

There is no guarantee of success. The studies were carried out in

areas with relatively low transmission of malaria; no one knows if

the vaccine will work as well where malaria is more rampant. And the

vaccine must still undergo much larger trials next year.

Even a vaccine that is partially effective could save hundreds of

thousands of lives a year. It would bolster the gains already being

made by insecticide-treated bed nets that prevent mosquitoes from

spreading the parasite and by malaria pills to treat sick patients.

That the candidate vaccine has gotten this far is a tribute to the

power of charitable contributions to generate and sustain industrial

interest.

Glaxo had been funding development of a vaccine aimed at military

personnel and travelers but was unwilling to undertake pediatric

studies unless a financial partner could be found. That's when the

Gates Foundation came to the rescue. It has pumped in $107.6 million

so far. Glaxo says it has spent about $300 million and expects to

invest $50 million to $100 million more to complete the project. If

all goes well, the vaccine could be submitted for regulatory approval

in 2011.