GlaxoSmithKline, the drug-making giant, is starting its research cupboards and labs to outside scientists in an unusual effort to trigger more research on ignored tropical diseases.

The researchers, says the British company, may be able to seek approval for the first vaccine against malaria, a mosquito-borne parasitic disease that kills a million people a year.

Glaxo has many drugs in testing to treat malaria also, but it is providing scientists worldwide free access to extensive data on 13,500 other compounds that appear to work against malaria.

On Wednesday, the company announces its plans to open its research labs in Spain to academic scientists seeking to collaborate in finding medicines for poor countries.

Andrew Witty, chief executive of GSK and the driving force behind the move, said the drug company has a "genuine appetite to change the landscape of healthcare for the world's poorest people".

"If there is a scientist out there without the resources, we are putting together the various strands," said Mr Witty.