GSK R & D Day
GlaxoSmithKline PLC
03 December 2003
Issued - Wednesday 3rd December 2003, London
GlaxoSmithKline Unveils A Broad R&D Pipeline Of Innovative Science
And Class-Leading Compounds
At a presentation to investors today, GlaxoSmithKline demonstrated that the
company's unique R&D structure is delivering a large and diverse pipeline. GSK
now has 147 projects in clinical development, spanning a variety of therapeutic
areas and encompassing a number of pioneering approaches to treating patients in
need.
The 147 projects include 82 new chemical entities (NCEs), 45 product line
extensions (PLEs), and 20 vaccines. The pipeline is maturing as projects move
into later stages of development; 98 are now in clinical Phases II and III/
registration. GSK described how this innovative pipeline will underpin long-term
growth, and highlighted several measures of increased R&D productivity and
opportunity.
The company has 30 more NCEs in the pipeline than at October 2001, and has
increased the number of NCEs in Phase II and III/registration from 23 to 44
today. GSK's goal is to bring more than 20 NCEs to Phase III development over
the next three years, leading to an anticipated record number of filings over
the next five years, many with the potential to reach blockbuster status. The
company expects to make up to 16 significant product filings in 2004-5.
"By radically redesigning our R&D organisation we are tackling the problem of R&
D productivity that currently plagues the industry," said Dr. Jean-Pierre
Garnier, Chief Executive Officer of GlaxoSmithKline. "The impact of this bold
move is clearly seen in the evolution of GSK's broad and deep pipeline of
innovative medicines across a spectrum of key therapeutic areas."
GSK's R&D is structured to take advantage of size at the beginning and the end
of the R&D process where large-scale research is needed - such as screening
targets against compounds and conducting large-scale clinical trials. However,
to bridge the interface between discovery and development, the organisation is
divided into new, small, biotech-like business units - Centres of Excellence for
Drug Discovery (CEDD) - that can take full advantage of flexibility and focus.
"Our new CEDD structure is working well. We are developing more quality
compounds than ever before. This is enabling us to renew our pipeline in disease
areas where we are leaders - like respiratory and psychiatry - and to build
strong portfolios in areas like oncology and cardiovascular disease," said
Dr. Tadataka Yamada, Chairman of R&D at GSK.
At the investor meeting, GSK executives featured 35 promising compounds,
selected for novelty, impact on disease and commercial potential. Compounds in
the following disease areas were among those highlighted:
CANCER
572016 - first dual kinase inhibitor for the treatment of solid tumours
Cancer affects 1 in 3 people. '016 - a first of its kind dual kinase inhibitor -
is intended for the treatment of a broad range of solid tumours and targets the
ErbB1 and ErbB2 kinases found in 30-80% of cancer tumours. In Phase I studies
among patients who had failed multiple prior treatments with other drugs, 46% of
breast cancer patients treated with '016 showed either a partial response or
stable disease. Positive responses were also seen across a wide range of other
solid tumours including non-small cell lung, bladder, head & neck and gastric
cancers. GSK expects to file for regulatory approval of this once-daily, oral
therapy in 2005.
Cervarix - first vaccine with potential for 100% efficacy against
two types of human papillomavirus
Cervical cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in women
world-wide. In Phase II studies, Cervarix, one of the new vaccines highlighted
by GSK, demonstrated 100% effectiveness in preventing persistent infection by
the two human papillomaviruses (HPV) with the highest risk for causing cervical
cancer: HPV16 and HPV18. Cervarix has the potential to prevent more than 70% of
cervical cancers. Phase III trials enrolling 25,000 women will begin in 2004.
Filing is expected in 2008.
PSYCHIATRY
353162 - new anti-depressant with potential for greater control of symptoms
'162, the company's next generation noradrenaline/dopamine reuptake inhibitor
(NDRI), is a potent, dual-action, non-serotonergic antidepressant that offers
tolerability benefits compared with SSRIs. '162 offers a unique balance between
noradrenaline and dopamine activity with the potential to be a highly effective
antidepressant treatment that can also address a range of symptoms, including
the pain and fatigue that are commonly associated with depression. '162 is
expected to move into Phase III in 2004; filing is targeted for 2006.
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
480848 - first Lp-PLA2 inhibitor targeting a newly identified risk factor for
heart disease
Although cholesterol-lowering statins dominate the atherosclerosis market, 50%
of patients at risk for cardiovascular disease have normal levels of "bad"
cholesterol (LDLc -- low density lipoprotein cholesterol). The enzyme Lp-PLA2
(lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2) may be as important as cholesterol as
a predictor for cardiovascular risk, based on an emerging body of significant
epidemiological research. GSK's compound, '848, is the first in a class that
dramatically lowers Lp-PLA2 activity in atherosclerotic plaque, which is
expected to reduce inflammation in arterial walls. This new approach could lead
to the next generation of drugs to reduce cardiovascular events and deaths. '848
is scheduled to move into Phase III in 2004, and filing is expected in 2008.
In addition to Lp-PLA2, GSK highlighted several other projects in cardiovascular
disease research that hold the promise of significantly improving treatment
options. GSK is developing the next generation of PPAR (peroxisome
proliferator-activated receptor) agonists that could provide superior
effectiveness in elevating HDL and improving overall lipid profiles, either
alone or in combination with other medicines. The company has active programs
studying three PPAR receptors - (PPAR-alpha, PPAR-delta, and PPAR-gamma) - that
may also lead to development of better treatments in diabetes and dyslipidaemia.
Odiparcil - a novel anti-clotting treatment
Many patients who are at risk for blood clots, and who take currently available
anti-thrombotics, must be monitored for bleeding and potentially for liver
malfunction. Odiparcil, developed in collaboration with Fournier, is a novel
anti-clotting agent that in a Phase II clinical study showed a reduction in
thrombotic events with no drug-related bleeding or liver problems. Odiparcil,
therefore, has the potential to reduce the need for patient monitoring.
Odiparcil is scheduled for filing in 2007.
RESPIRATORY
"Beyond Seretide/Advair"
Building on its strong heritage in respiratory medicine, GSK is continuing its
productive research into new ways to treat asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease and allergic rhinitis. Seretide/Advair, the current leading asthma
treatment, is composed of an inhaled corticosteroid (fluticasone) and a
long-acting beta2-agonist (salmeterol). GSK is currently developing a
next-generation, once-daily combination consisting of 685698 (a new long-acting
corticosteroid) and 159797 (a long-acting selective beta2-agonist developed with
Theravance, Inc.).
'698, an inhaled corticosteroid with prolonged lung retention and potent
anti-inflammatory action, has shown evidence of greater potency and the
potential for once-daily dosing, compared to existing treatments. In clinical
studies, a relatively low 250 mcg dose of '698 was as effective as a much
higher-dose of fluticasone (1000 mcg) with minimal, clinically insignificant
evidence of cortical suppression. '797, a long-acting inhaled beta2-agonist, is
currently in Phase II, and has demonstrated effective 24-hour bronchodilation in
asthmatics. The combination is expected to be filed in 2008.
'698 has also demonstrated potent activity against allergic rhinitis. Recent
studies of '698 have shown excellent nasal symptom relief after exposure to
allergens, superior to that seen with GSK's Flixonase/Flonase against the same
allergen exposure. Filing is expected in 2006.
PAIN
406381 - the first dual-action COX-2 inhibitor targets inflammatory and
neuropathic pain
The first dual-action COX-2 inhibitor, '381, is designed to improve on existing
drugs in its class. '381 is able to treat two main types of pain - inflammatory
and neuropathic - by acting both peripherally and centrally. Currently marketed
COX-2 inhibitors have not been proven to be effective in neuropathic pain, like
neuralgia. Initial clinical data indicate that '381 penetrates the human brain
more effectively than existing COX-2 inhibitors, and is therefore expected to
lead to greater effectiveness across a range of pain types, such as
osteo-arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, back pain, and neuropathic pain.
Currently in Phase II, '381 is targeted for filing in 2006.
Maintaining Near-Term Momentum
GSK also showcased opportunities for maintaining its near-term momentum with
late-stage assets and currently marketed products. During 2004-2005, the company
intends to deliver 16 significant product filings. GSK is focusing its expertise
on bringing several new products to market, and enhancing the value of its
existing medicines through new formulations and new indications that bring
additional benefits to patients.
Among the potential new products near term is alvimopan, a peripherally-acting
mu-opioid receptor antagonist. After open abdominal surgery, many patients
experience postoperative ileus, a temporary bowel impairment of variable
duration that frequently prolongs hospital stay. Data from completed Phase III
studies have shown that, when compared with placebo, alvimopan accelerates the
recovery of gastrointestinal function and permits earlier hospital discharge.
Alvimopan is also being developed to manage chronic opioid bowel dysfunction
which negatively impacts the quality of life for millions of patients using
opioid analgesics such as morphine for pain relief. Developed with Adolor
Corporation, an application for approval of alvimopan for the management of
postoperative ileus is targeted for filing with the FDA late in the first half
of 2004.
Another near-term product opportunity is Boniva/Bonviva, a bisphosphonate for
osteoporosis co-developed with Roche, which was approved in May 2003 in the US
for daily oral dosing. The high potency of Boniva/Bonviva should allow
intermittent dosing and greater patient convenience; therefore, the product will
be filed for intermittent IV and for monthly oral dosing in 2004.
Solifenacin succinate, to be co-promoted with Yamanouchi, is being developed to
treat overactive bladder, relieving urinary frequency, incontinence, and
urgency. An estimated 17-20 million people in the US suffer from overactive
bladder. Existing therapies are often associated with dry mouth as a side
effect. Pivotal studies supporting the regulatory filings for solifenacin
indicate that it is effective treating over-active bladder symptoms with a
reported incidence of dry mouth of 11% at a 5 mg once-daily dose. Solifenacin
received an FDA approvable letter in October 2003, and was filed in Europe in
January 2003.
In addition to these new products, GSK outlined further opportunities for
developing two existing blockbuster products, Seretide/Advair and Avandia.
Two large-scale clinical trials for Seretide/Advair were highlighted at the
meeting: GOAL, which assesses Seretide/Advair use across different severities of
asthma; and TORCH, which looks at Seretide/Advair's impact on patient mortality
in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These data are expected to
confirm the strong efficacy profile of Seretide/Advair in treating asthma and
COPD. The company expects to make the data from the 3,500 patient GOAL study
available early next year.
At the same time, the company announced that the Avandia franchise is set to
benefit from the launch of a new fixed dose combination treatment called
Avandaryl. This new medication combines Avandia with Aventis' Amaryl, a
market-leading sulphonylurea, and will further extend the Avandia "family" of
treatments for Type II diabetes. Avandaryl was filed with the FDA in October
2003.
GSK expects to make two other significant filings for Avandia in 2005: firstly,
use of Avandia as an oral treatment for psoriasis; and secondly, an extended
release version of GSK's highly successful product Avandamet (a fixed dose
combination of Avandia + metformin) which will be called Avandamet XR.
GSK currently has 20 significant product line extensions in Phase II/III
development. Already filed is a combination of Epivir-Ziagen. This combination
is expected to be the first one pill, once-daily, dual therapy component of
recommended HIV/AIDS regimens.
Also in development for the prevention of prostate cancer is Avodart, which is
already approved for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). An
international trial called REDUCE, which will include 8,000 men who are at
increased risk for prostate cancer, was started earlier this year.
GSK also revealed at the meeting that it has been granted priority review by the
FDA for its application to treat the neurological disorder restless legs
syndrome (RLS) with its anti-Parkinson's treatment, ReQuip. If approved, ReQuip
will become the first and only drug indicated for the treatment of RLS in the
US.
GSK also announced entry of its new migraine combination treatment - sumatriptan
& MT400 (naproxen) - into Phase III development. GSK is developing this
combination of a 5-HT1 agonist and a long-acting non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drug in conjunction with Pozen Inc., and is expected to file the new product
with the FDA in 2005.
Building on its strong portfolio of vaccines, GSK also expects to file three
vaccines in 2004. Boostrix is a booster vaccine to prevent diphtheria, tetanus
and pertussis for adolescents and adults in the US. Priorix Tetra builds on
GSK's existing mumps, measles and rubella vaccine with the addition of
varicella, and will be filed in European and International markets.
GSK will also file Rotarix, a new vaccine for the prevention of rotavirus
gastroenteritis, which affects young children world-wide. To date over 30,000
children have been vaccinated with Rotarix, and clinical trials have shown the
vaccine to have an excellent efficacy profile and to be well tolerated.
Commenting on the R&D event for GSK, Dr. Garnier said: "The success we have seen
in R&D gives me great confidence in GSK's future. Our large and diverse pipeline
of innovative science and class-leading compounds will secure our future growth.
We will continue to drive this pipeline to maturity while also gaining full
value from our currently marketed medicines. That's good news for both patients
and investors."
GlaxoSmithKline, one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and
healthcare companies, is committed to improving the quality of human life by
enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For more information,
please visit the company's web site at gsk.com.
S M Bicknell
Company Secretary
- Ends -
Under the safe harbour provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995, the company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements
or projections made by the company, including those made in this Announcement
and the Presentation to which it relates, are subject to risks and uncertainties
that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Factors
that may affect the Group's operations are described under 'Risk Factors' in the
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects in the GlaxoSmithKline Annual
Report on Form 20-F for 2002.
Without limiting the foregoing, this Announcement and the Presentation to which
it relates contain forward-looking statements regarding ongoing drug discovery
and development activities, the progress of which depends in significant part on
factors not fully within the Group's control, including but not limited to the
pace of clinical trial enrolment, the nature of the results of pending and
prospective preclinical and clinical trials, the resolution of any unusual
difficulties with drug formulation or manufacturing, the outcome of review by
regulatory authorities, changes in the prevailing legal/regulatory climate, and
the like. The Group's current expectations and other information included in
this Announcement and the related Presentation reflect data currently in hand,
which may be preliminary in nature, whereas the ultimate progress of
investigational drugs through remaining stages of development to regulatory
submission, regulatory approval, and commercialisation may differ materially,
given inherent risks and uncertainties.
Enquiries:
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US Media enquiries: Nancy Pekarek (215) 751 7709
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Philip Thomson (020) 8047 5543
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Tom Curry (215) 751 5419
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