The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) is to lead a $30 million (£15 million) research programme into malaria in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Lasting five years, the programme is expected to benefit around 50 million pregnant women who face exposure to malaria every year. It is estimated that up to 100,000 children could be saved in Africa during a 12-month period.

The money for the research - which is being led by LSTM in conjunction with 38 institutions in more than two dozen countries - was granted by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Steven Broomhead, chief executive of the Northwest Regional Development Agency, said: "This further funding support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for the LSTM shows that Liverpool and the northwest continues to lead the way in scientific and medical research."

The LSTM, which is affiliated with the University of Liverpool, focuses on a number of areas including tropical and infectious diseases, development of drugs and diagnostics, clinical trials and reproductive and child health.