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Grow a diversified global business
Our plans
Drive growth in the pharmaceutical business in our core markets
Our established strengths in the small molecule pharmaceutical sectors of larger markets such as the USA, UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain remain central to our business. During 2008, we received European approval for Tyverb for advanced breast cancer, Volibris for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension, Avamys a new allergic rhinitis treatment and US approval for Promacta for the treatment of thrombocytopenia and Entereg for postoperative ileus.
In our US pharmaceuticals business we have initiated a major change programme, refocusing marketing to demonstrate value and introducing new product offerings which focus on volume opportunities.
Deliver our ambitious vaccines forecast
Increasingly, healthcare providers recognise the important role that vaccines play in preventative healthcare. Our proven capability and strong pipeline, plus the high barriers to entry faced by our competitors, mean that this is expected to be a source of future growth for GSK.
We are targeting sustained growth in our vaccines portfolio, by launching new vaccines and working to expand our franchise in Japan and emerging markets.
During 2008, Cervarix, our cervical cancer vaccine, was successful in approximately 60% of all tenders, achieving several notable successes including Europe’s largest vaccination programme against cervical cancer, which is taking place in the UK. The year also saw Rotarix, Boostrix (adult indication) and Kinrix receive approval from the FDA.
In March 2009 we received European authorisation for Synflorix, a paediatric pneumococcal vaccine.
Fulfil the potential of emerging markets
Emerging markets feature a less-defined distinction between pharmaceutical, over-the-counter and retail market structure and our ability to operate across this spectrum is a clear competitive advantage. We have an opportunity to improve this capability and further energise our business in fast-growing emerging markets.
In 2008, we entered into an alliance with Aspen Holdings of South Africa. This new relationship gives us priority access to commercialised products from a portfolio of over 1,000 potential products.
As the year ended we acquired a BMS portfolio in Egypt and reached agreement to acquire a BMS portfolio in Pakistan.
In early 2009 we also agreed with UCB to acquire its current marketed product portfolio in a range of territories.
In April 2009 we announced definitive steps with Pfizer to re-energise our HIV business with the creation of a new specialist company with an industry-leading pipeline. The completion of this transaction is expected in Q4 2009.
Expand our business in Japan
Japan is a key market for GSK investment and growth. We have an extensive product pipeline and expect to launch more than 40 products in this market over the next five years.
Major approvals in this market recently were Lamictal for epilepsy and Adoair for COPD.
Grow the Consumer Healthcare business
Our Consumer Healthcare business continues to to drive growth through a portfolio of powerful brands in three key segments: over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, Oral healthcare and Nutritional Healthcare.
The brand portfolio, which includes alli for weight loss, the Panadol range of analgesics, Sensodyne toothpaste and Lucozade is supported by a strategy focused on innovation, marketing excellence, geographic expansion and acquisitions.
In September 2008 we launched Sensodyne into the Chinese market, our first major consumer launch in the country for a decade.
We are now in the midst of launching alli, the first OTC weight loss product approved by the European Commission, across Europe.
In April 2009, we announced the acquisition of specialist dermatology company Stiefel to increase growth and diversification with significant revenue and synergy opportunities. The completion of this transaction is expected in Q3 2009.
