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news.UK pharmaceuticals giant GlaxoSmithKline is reported to be launching five new vaccines in the next five years in an attempt to exploit a market worth up to GBP10 billion.
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The company revealed details about the new drugs when it was updating investors and financial analysts on its vaccines division.
GlaxoSmithKline said its Cervarix product for the prevention of human papilloma virus (HPV), which causes cervical cancer, is one of the drugs which it will aim to complete by 2010. The firm is said to be developing the drug to compete with rival Merck & Co’s Gardasil product, which is ahead in the manufacturing process, in a market it predicts could reach sales of GBP4 billion per year by 2010.
GSK also highlighted Rotarix, which is designed to treat rotavirus gastroenteritis, one of the top five causes of childhood death in the developing world. Streptorix for pneumococcal disease, a vaccine for influenza and vaccine combinations against meningitis are the other drugs set to launch within the next five years.
The company is said to be keen to capitalize on what it sees as a growing market, with the arrival of new technologies and an improved scientific knowledge. Governments and health authorities are starting to look to vaccines as a way of managing a wide range of diseases.
Reports have suggested that GSK is currently in discussions with governments about initiating a vaccination program.