GSK and Pfizer to establish new HIV company

GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer have entered into an agreement to create a new HIV company focused solely on research, development and commercialization of HIV medicines.

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) will initially hold an 85% equity interest in the new company and Pfizer will hold 15%. The new company will have a broad product portfolio of 11 marketed products including therapies such as Combivir, Kivexa and Selzentry/Celsentri, said GSK.

The clear focus of the new business will be to invest in the R&D of HIV treatments and formulations that improve adherence and overcome resistance to the virus.

The company will have a pipeline of six targeted medicines, including four 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 R&D 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.

Jeff Kindler, CEO of Pfizer, said: By combining Pfizer’s and GSK’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.