GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) and Pfizer Inc (PFE) today announced they have entered into an agreement to create a new world-leading HIV company focused solely on research, development and commercialisation of HIV medicines. The new HIV business will be more sustainable and broader in scope than either company’s individually, and will hold a 19% share of the growing market and have an industry-leading pipeline. GSK will initially hold an 85% equity interest in the new company and Pfizer will hold 15%.
Andrew Witty, Chief Executive Officer, GSK said: “Today marks a definitive step by GSK to renew our focus and deliver more medicines, more efficiently, to people living with HIV/AIDS. At the core of this specialist business is a broad portfolio of products and pipeline assets, which can be more effectively leveraged through the new company’s strong revenue base and dedicated research capability. HIV remains a global threat with increasing incidence and viral resistance. This new company will be better placed to meet these challenges and improve access to treatments.”
Jeff Kindler, Chief Executive Officer, Pfizer said: “By combining Pfizer’s and GlaxoSmithKline’s complementary strengths and capabilities, we are creating a new global leader in HIV and reaffirming our ongoing commitment to the treatment of the disease. With the strength of the companies’ current HIV products, as well as the complementary fit of Pfizer’s HIV pipeline and GSK’s global distribution capabilities, the new company is well positioned to bring new and improved medicines to patients with more speed and efficiency. The new company can reach more patients and accomplish much more for the treatment of HIV globally than either company on its own.”
Focused new business with industry-leading HIV pipeline
The new company will have a broad product portfolio of 11 marketed products including market-leading therapies such as Combivir, Kivexa and Selzentry/Celsentri. Based on 2008 pro-forma results, this combined portfolio generated sales of approximately £1.6 billion and these revenues will provide the new company with financial stability and support investment in its pipeline.
The clear focus of the new business will be to invest in research and development of innovative HIV treatments and formulations that improve adherence and overcome resistance to the virus.
The company will have an industry-leading pipeline of 6 innovative and targeted medicines, including 4 compounds in phase II development. Altogether, the new company will have 17 molecules at its disposal to develop in fixed-dose combinations as possible new HIV treatments. The new company will contract R&D services directly from GSK and Pfizer to develop these medicines.
The new company will also invest in early-stage research and discovery of HIV medicines, and will benefit from a new Research Alliance Agreement with GSK and Pfizer. Under this new alliance, GSK and Pfizer will continue to conduct discovery research and development into HIV medicines and the new company will invest in this activity and will have exclusive rights of first negotiation in relation to any new HIV-related medicine developed by either GSK or Pfizer.
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