The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has pledged an additional $250 million to support the development of low-cost and easier to deliver treatments and vaccines against Covid-19.

The Gates Foundation’s latest contribution, its largest till date, comes on top of the $70m funding that it added in November. This brings its total commitments to the global pandemic response to $1.75 billion, the foundation said.

“Whether (the world) gets better for everyone depends on the actions of the world’s leaders and their commitment to deliver tests, treatments and vaccines to the people who need them,” said Melinda Gates, co-chair of the Gates Foundation.