According to the FT today (subscription only), GSK has done a deal on the future pricing of a malaria vaccine with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.The undisclosed terms lay down the conditions by which GSK could generate some modest income to cover its costs in exchange for the financial support, but is committed to providing the vaccine at affordable prices.The press release says:
While continuing to make significant investments in the clinical development of the vaccine, GSK Biologicals will also begin preparations for large-scale manufacturing, registration, and supply of the vaccine should it prove to be effective. GSK will provide the vaccine to public-sector markets in poor countries at prices that support its reliable, long-term production and distribution to children who need it most. MVI and GSK have developed a specific framework on pricing and supply of the vaccine in their collaboration agreement.
The full FT article is below the fold.GSK hopes to find malaria vaccineBy Andrew JackPublished: November 1 2005 02:00 | Last updated: November 1 2005 02:00GSK hopes to find malaria vaccineBy Andrew JackPublished: November 1 2005 02:00 | Last updated: November 1 2005 02:00GlaxoSmithKline, the UK-based pharmaceutical group, has concluded an agreement over pricing that paves the way for a $107m (£60m) grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to help develop the first malaria vaccine.The deal has unblocked a broader series of grants from the US philanthropists totalling $258m to provide the largest ever funding for one of the most lethal but neglected diseases.The undisclosed terms lay down the conditions by which GSK could generate some modest income to cover its costs in exchange for the financial support, but is committed to providing the vaccine at affordable prices.The Gates funding includes $100m for research on new drugs, and $51m for improved insecticides and mosquito control techniques.Andrew Jack, London
