GSK takes on newborn health in developing world

GlaxoSmithKline is to deploy its research and development muscle to try to reduce the number of newborn babies who die of serious infections in the developing world.

GSK will develop antibiotics that can be given to babies in remote areas with neonatal sepsis – blood infection, removing the need for mothers in countries such as Democratic Republic of Congo (left) to travel long distances to hospital.

The company has appointed a team of researchers to the task, which involves developing antibiotics that do not require refrigeration. They must also make the antibiotic easy for a low-skilled health worker to deliver to the patient, which may involve packaging it in pre-filled syringes or in a dropper.

Glaxo selected this research project from 70 proposals submitted by employees following a global challenge earlier this year. Studies have shown that treating neonatal sepsis with antibiotics early could prevent death in nearly two thirds of cases.

GSK has also selected two other research proposals deemed “more speculative and high risk”, which it will assess for viability. These involve inventing an easier way to treat women in high-risk labour and creating an ointment to protect the fragile skin of premature babies.

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