Our history
GlaxoSmithKline started operations on 1 January 2001 following the merger of GlaxoWellcome plc and SmithKline Beecham plc, but our combined histories go back much further than that. Find out about the many products and mergers that led to the GSK we know today.
1700s
1715
Plough Court Pharmacy established
Plough Court pharmacy is established, the forerunner of Allen and Hanburys, in London by Silvanus Bevan. The A&H name continues today.
1800s
1865
Mahlon Kline joins Smith & Shoemaker
1891
Smith, Kline and Company acquires French, Richards and Company
The original company that John K Smith founded went through numerous mergers and acquisitions. Probably the most important was the company's absorption in of French, Richards and Company, another respected drug wholesaler.
1900-1949
1950-1999
1963
Betnovate is launched
Betnovate was the first of Glaxo's range of steroid skin disease treatments. In the mid-1960s, Smith Kline & French also acquired RIT (Recherche et Industrie Therapeutiques), a vaccines business.
1969
Ventolin is launched
Glaxo launches Ventolin as a treatment for asthma, marketed under the Allen & Hanburys name.
1972
Amoxycillin discovered
Scientists at Beecham Research Laboratories discover amoxycillin and launch Amoxil, which will become a widely-used antibiotic
1989
SmithKline Beckman and the Beecham Group merge to form SmithKline Beecham plc.
1995
Glaxo and Wellcome merge to form Glaxo Wellcome
2000s
2000
Planned merger of Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham is announced
2002
The first 100 million albendazole tablets are donated as part of our commitment to fight lymphatic filariasis
2004
Clinical Trial Register launched
The Clinical Trial Register (today the Clinical Study Register) is launched, an internet site containing clinical trial data that anyone can access.
2011
Human Genome Sciences and GSK receive approval for Benlysta, the first new lupus treatment in 50 years
