Malaria Vaccine Success Hailed As Breakthrough

In a proof-of-concept study to be published this week in The Lancet, researchers report that GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK - News) Biologicals' RTS,S/AS02A malaria vaccine candidate protected a significant percentage of children against uncomplicated malaria, infection, and even severe forms of the disease for at least six months. This largest malaria vaccine efficacy trial ever conducted in Africa also re- confirmed the vaccine's safety in one- to four-year-old children. Further efficacy studies will be needed before consideration for licensure. The results will be published on a fast-track basis in the October 16 issue of the journal. The double-blind, controlled trial involved 2,022 children in southern Mozambique and was conducted by the Centro de Investigacao em Saude da Manhica (CISM). GSK Biologicals and PATH's Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI) co-sponsored the trial, which was approved by Mozambique's Ministry of Health.