We established our research centre at Tres Cantos in Madrid in 2001 to work exclusively on finding answers to the illnesses of the developing world. Our principal focus has been on seeking ways to treat malaria and tuberculosis.

On campus we have GSK scientists from across the organisation, including the UK and US. Research decisions are prioritised on their socio-economic and public health benefits rather than on commercial returns. A similar group is active in our vaccines organisation in Belgium.

Our partnerships at Tres Cantos

From the start we have sought to establish partnerships with other bodies committed to the same causes. We continue to share their specialist knowledge and the financial cost of our work together. 

One of our longest standing relationships is with the Geneva based Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV). MMV is focused on managing and ultimately eradicating malaria, which kills up to two million people a year. The majority of victims are children under five or pregnant women living in tropical countries with poor economies. 

Another of our partners is the Global Alliance for TB Drug Development.  Tuberculosis is second only to HIV in terms of the number of annual deaths it causes, with one person somewhere around the world dying of it every 20 seconds. The World Health Organisation estimates that two billion people are carrying the bacteria at any time.

More than 100 researchers are now working in our laboratories at Tres Cantos, focusing on these and similar challenges.