GlaxoSmithKline plc (ADR) (GSK) Nearing on Ebola Eradication

GlaxoSmithKline plc (ADR) (NYSE:GSK) advances to the stage of testing its ebola vaccine on human test subjects, as reported by Bloomberg‘s Betty Liu.

GlaxoSmithKline plc (ADR) (NYSE:GSK)

GlaxoSmithKline plc (ADR) (NYSE:GSK) remains committed to eradicating the deadly virus which has already claimed more than 2,000 lives in Western Africa and is considered as the worst occurrence of such an epidemic in the region. The vaccine has been previously tested on monkeys and after the company’s researchers observed that the monkeys survived without developing any symptoms of the disease it has progressed to the next phase of the testing, namely on already infected humans.

National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) have collaborated with GlaxoSmithKline plc (ADR) (NYSE:GSK) to help the affected countries in battling the fatal virus. GlaxoSmithKline plc (ADR) (NYSE:GSK) is well aware of the fact that speed is of the essence in this case as the virus continues to spread in other parts of the continent with Democratic Republic of the Congo being the latest addition to the list of countries with reported cases.

GlaxoSmithKline plc (ADR) (NYSE:GSK)’s official website has revealed that the company has already received funding to manufacture about 10,000 doses of the vaccine that was being tested on primates. The reason cited is that in case the trials are successful, GlaxoSmithKline plc (ADR) (NYSE:GSK) should be able to quickly supply these stocks to Word Health Organisaton (WHO) to instantly provide immunisation to high risk communities.

In today’s highly interconnected world where a company’s supply chain is not limited by international boundaries of countries or continents, epidemics can spread fast if proper preventive measures are not taken and also if timely cures are not found. Africa, has already been subjected to drop in pace of developmental projects since the discovery of the virus in March this year. GlaxoSmithKline plc (ADR) (NYSE:GSK)’s vaccine, if successful could not only save but also help in improving millions of lives on the continent.

Disclosure: none