GlaxoSmithKline: against COVID-19 Company
Entity: GlaxoSmithKline
Category: Vaccine Development
Description: GlaxoSmithKline develops and markets products in the areas of pain relief, respiratory, digestive health, oral health, nutrition and skin. GlaxoSmithKline is a science-led global healthcare company with a special purpose: to help people do more, feel better, live longer. The company aims to bring differentiated, high-quality and needed healthcare products to as many people as possible, with its 3 global businesses, scientific and technical know-how, and talented people. GSK's Pharmaceuticals business has a broad portfolio of innovative and established medicines with commercial leadership in respiratory and HIV. Their R&D approach focuses on science related to the immune system, the use of genetics, and advanced technologies. The Vaccines business has a broad portfolio and innovative pipeline of vaccines to help protect people throughout life. It delivers over two million vaccine doses per day to people living in over 160 countries. The Consumer Healthcare business develops and markets an innovative portfolio of consumer preferred and expert-recommended brands in the Pain relief, Respiratory, Digestive health, Oral Health, Nutrition, and Skin health categories.
1. Project: Potential sources for antibodies against SARS CoV-2
Summary: As part of the UK Government’s announcement of a new five pillar plan to boost testing for COVID-19, GSK, AstraZeneca and the University of Cambridge have formed a joint collaboration to take action to support this national effort. GSK is closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and is supporting global efforts to tackle the virus. Since the outbreak, they have been actively exploring ways to help, with their science and expertise, alongside protecting the health and wellbeing of their people and managing their global supply chains to support patients and consumers who depend on its products. GSK is collaborating with AstraZeneca in exploring potential sources for antibodies against SARS CoV-2.
2. Project: Glaxo + Sanofi to develop an adjuvanted COVID-19 vaccine
Summary: Emma Walmsley, CEO, has reported multiple times GSK's response to COVID-19 including the collaboration with Sanofi to develop an adjuvanted COVID-19 vaccine, our commitment to access and investment in long-term pandemic preparedness. GSK has announced on 14 April they has joined forces with Sanofi, bringing together two of the world’s largest vaccines companies in an unprecedented collaboration to fight COVID-19. The two companies will combine innovative technologies to develop an adjuvanted COVID-19 vaccine, which is expected to enter clinical trials in the second half of 2020 and, if successful and subject to regulatory considerations, aim to complete the development required for availability by the second half of 2021. This would be a significantly faster timeline than for normal vaccine development and teams from both companies are starting work on this urgently.
