GSK Allows Simcere to Manufacture Relenza(Source:Business News)(...

GSK Allows Simcere to Manufacture Relenza(Source:Business News)( 2009-02-18)



GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Brenetford, West London, has given the green light to Chinese-based Simcere Pharmaceutical Group the right to produce generic copies of Relenza (zanamivir for inhalation) for developing countries.

Under the terms of agreement, Simcere will manufacture and sell zanamivir to China, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and least developing nations.

David Stout, president of GSK’s pharmaceutical operations, says, “GSK is doing anything we can to prepare a global influenza pandemic, including expanding production of Relenza and developing a pandemic vaccine.”

He adds, “This agreement with Simcere is intended to expand available supplies of zanamivir in areas of the world that may be on the front line of a possible influenza pandemic.”

Relenza was developed by GSK under license from drug firm Biota. The GSK-Simcere collaboration is significant for both parties. Peter Cook, chief executive officer of Biota, says, “When GSK requested Biota’s approval for this agreement with Simcere, it was readily given in recognition of the critical public health need.”

He adds, “We hope to see GSK further increase supply to ensure that the world is able to gain better access to zanamivir, one of the world’s only two effective antiviral drugs in the event of an avian flu pandemic.”

(http://www.simcere.com/english2009/news/News_show.asp?gongs_id=1)

No mention of Biota royalty payments, how benevolent of us.