GlaxoSmithKline is seeking approval for the world’s first malaria vaccine.

Testing of the drug with African children showed it cut the number of malaria cases. The trial showed an approximate 25% decrease in cases among infants. Tests also showed that 18 months after vaccination, children up to age 5 had a 46% reduction in infections.

Worldwide, a child dies from malaria every 30 seconds. It is the leading cause of illness and death in the world. At least 800,000 people every year die from the mosquito-borne parasite.

“Malaria is not just one of the world’s biggest killers of children, it also burdens health systems, hinders children’s development and puts a brake on economic growth. An effective malaria vaccine would have an enormous impact on the developing world,” UK International Development Minister Lynne Featherstone told the BBC. “We welcome the scientific progress made by this research and look forward to seeing the full results in due course.”