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☆ GSK Confidentially Settles Another Zantac Lawsuit in California
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) -GSK said on Thursday it agreed to confidentially settle one more lawsuit in California that alleged its discontinued heartburn drug Zantac caused cancer, the latest in a series of settlements to end costly litigation. While NDMA can be present in low levels in food and water, research has found it causes cancer in larger amounts. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2020 pulled Zantac and its generic versions off the market, triggering a wave of lawsuits. As of October, GSK still faced about 79,000 cases related to Zantac in the United States, with 73,000 of them in Delaware. Analysts have estimated total settlement costs for GSK of around $5 billion, set to be realised in the first quarter of 2024.

Persons: drugmaker, Zantac, Eva Mathews, Savio D'Souza, Rashmi Organizations: Reuters, GSK, US Food and Drug Administration Locations: California, United States, Delaware . California, Bengaluru

☆ GSK posts blowout RSV vaccine sales, raises outlook as shots give big pharma a boost
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

GlaxoSmithKline on Wednesday lifted its long-term outlook following the smash-hit launch of its new RSV vaccine. GSK in November had forecast 2023 sales for the shot Arexvy between £900 million, or $1.1 billion, and £1 billion, or $1.26 billion, following its strong launch in the U.S. The company's RSV shot in part drove the higher forecast. The vaccine has about 70% market share for RSV, Walmsley added on Wednesday. Meanwhile, biotech company Moderna hopes to launch its own RSV vaccine this year.

Persons: Emma Walmsley, Walmsley, Arexvy, That's, Pfizer's, Albert Bourla, Bourla Organizations: GlaxoSmithKline, Stevenage, GSK, U.S, Pfizer, U.S . Food, Drug Administration, Moderna Locations: Britain, British, U.S, Canada, Japan

☆ Cameroon Launches Malaria Vaccination Programme in Global Milestone
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

(Reuters) - The global fight against malaria took a stride forward on Monday as Cameroon launched the world's first routine vaccine programme against the mosquito-borne disease that is projected to save tens of thousands of children's lives per year across Africa. After successful trials, including in Ghana and Kenya, Cameroon is the first country to administer doses through a routine immunisation programme that 19 other countries aim to roll out this year, according to global vaccine alliance Gavi. Around 6.6 million children in these countries are targeted for malaria vaccination through 2024-25. Rolling out the second vaccine "is expected to result in sufficient vaccine supply to meet the high demand and reach millions more children," the WHO's director of immunization, Kate O'Brien, said at the briefing. This R21 vaccine, developed by University of Oxford, could be launched in May or June, said Gavi's Chief Programme Officer Aurelia Nguyen.

Persons: Mohammed Abdulaziz of, Kate O'Brien, Aurelia Nguyen, Alessandra Prentice, Jennifer Rigby, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Reuters, World Health Organization, WHO, British, GSK, for Disease Control, Prevention, University of Oxford Locations: Cameroon, Africa, Ghana, Kenya

☆ GSK CEO says RSV vaccine revenue to top 1 bln pounds in first year
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Michele Gershberg | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

GSK had previously forecast 2023 sales for Arexvy between 900 million pounds and 1 billion pounds ($1.26 billion) following a strong U.S. launch. "We’re delighted with the start of our RSV vaccine," Walmsley said in a Reuters Newsmaker interview. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Arexvy for adults aged 60 years or older in May and GSK launched the vaccine in the U.S. later in the year. GSK made close to two-thirds of RSV doses given in the United States since early September, according to IQVIA data earlier this month. On Tuesday, rival Pfizer (PFE.N) said it was disappointed in the performance of its RSV shot Abrysvo compared with GSK.

Persons: Walmsley, GSK's, Emma Walmsley, We’re, David Denton, AstraZeneca's, commercialise Johnson, Ludwig Burger, Michael Erman, Josephine Mason, Kirsten Donovan, Elaine Hardcastle Organizations: GSK, Reuters, U.S . Food, Drug Administration, Pfizer, U.S, Thomson Locations: British, U.S, Europe, Japan, United States

☆ Standard Chartered Bank China starts digital yuan exchange services
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals category · November 27, 2023 · 11:26 AM UTC · ago · agoGSK said on Monday that its blood cancer drug Blenrep had reached a key goal in a late-stage trial, as the British drugmaker looks to bolster its oncology business after a series of setbacks.

Persons: Blenrep Organizations: Pharmaceuticals, GSK Locations: British

☆ Lagos positions itself as global financial center after historic appearance at London’s Lord Mayor’s Show
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Stephanie Busari | Nimi Princewill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Lagos, Nigeria CNN —Nigeria’s Lagos state marked a historic moment by making Africa’s inaugural appearance at the renowned Lord Mayor’s Show in London – an annual procession, steeped in 800 years of tradition, that celebrates the history and commerce of the city. Among the Lagos contingent were the traditional Eyo masquerades who take part in the famed Yoruba Eyo festival in the state. However, many backers believe that Lagos has the potential to evolve into a global financial hub capable of drawing substantial foreign investments into Nigeria. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, co-chair of the newly inaugurated Lagos International Financial Centre Council (LIFC) told CNN Lagos was now ready to position itself with global players. “A low stable inflation rate automatically signals a stable currency … and that’s the job half done,” he told CNN.

Persons: Mayor’s, Lord Mayor’s Show, Lagos, ”, Babajide Sanwo, ” “ Organizations: Nigeria CNN —, CNN, Lagos State, ” “ Lagos isn’t, Aig, Lagos International Financial Centre Council, CNN Lagos, ”, of, US Department of Commerce, United Arab, Dubai’s Emirates, GSK, Imoukhuede, Nigerian Central Bank Locations: Lagos, Nigeria, London, ” Lagos, ” “ Lagos, West, ” Nigeria, of London, United Arab Emirates, British

☆ Advil maker Haleon misses revenue estimates as North America demand drags
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Haleon Plc FollowGSK plc FollowNov 2 (Reuters) - Haleon (HLN.L) missed market estimates for third-quarter revenue on Thursday, as the world's largest consumer healthcare firm grappled with weak demand for its painkillers, digestive health and vitamin supplements in North America. For the three months ended Sept. 30, Haleon reported a 5% organic increase in revenue to 2.79 billion pounds ($3.40 billion), but it came slightly below analysts' expectations of 2.83 billion pounds, according to a company-compiled consensus. The company said overall volumes for the quarter declined by 1.6%, while North America revenues fell 7.5% on a reported basis. Haleon, which was carved out of British drugmaker GSK (GSK.L) last year, has been raising prices to offset high costs. ($1 = 0.8215 pounds)Reporting by Eva Mathews in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich and Gerry DoyleOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Haleon, Eva Mathews, Rashmi Aich, Gerry Doyle Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, GSK, Consumer, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, North America, British, Bengaluru

☆ GSK raises annual forecasts powered by strong Arexvy launch
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Analysts expect the British drugmaker's RSV vaccine Arexvy to power future growth, amid worries about the strength of its pipeline of drugs in development and costly U.S. litigation over discontinued heartburn drug Zantac. Arexvy, launched in the United States recently, is expected to garner full-year sales of between 900 million pounds to 1 billion pounds ($1.22 billion), GSK said. For the third quarter, the shot recorded sales of 709 million pounds, trouncing analysts' expectations of 358 million pounds, according to a company-compiled consensus. Meanwhile, sales are seen to rise by 12% to 13% in 2023 compared with earlier expectations of 8% to 10%. For the reported quarter, sales of Shingrix, the company's top-selling drug to treat shingles, generated 825 million pounds, below market estimates of 868 million pounds.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Eva Mathews, Subhranshu Sahu, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: GSK, GlaxoSmithKline, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: United States, Bengaluru

☆ Pfizer RSV vaccine lags GSK’s as head-to-head competition underway
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Michael Erman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/3] View of Pfizer's new respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine Abrysvo during its manufacture in this undated handout picture. "800 POUND GORILLAS"CVS, which has more than 9,000 U.S. locations, declined to comment on why it was only carrying GSK's vaccine. It was not immediately clear how many RSV shots were being administered in pharmacies versus doctors' offices. GSK declined to discuss its RSV vaccine contracts, but said customer relationships gives it a competitive advantage. Two independent pharmacists said they are being charged a lower price by wholesalers for the GSK vaccine, which comes in boxes of 10.

Persons: Price, Ben Link, Link, Pfizer's, Dovato, Morningstar, Damien Conover, We’ve, Alison Hunt, Michelle Vargas, Michael Erman, Caroline Humer, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Pfizer, Handout, REUTERS, GSK, Reuters, CVS Health, CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Aid, Thomson Locations: United States, British, U.S, South Carolina

☆ RSV vaccine from GSK shows potential to protect adults 50 to 59
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A vaccine from GlaxoSmithKline showed the potential to protect adults ages 50 to 59 from respiratory syncytial virus in a late-stage clinical trial, the company said Wednesday. Currently, Arexvy is approved in the U.S., Europe, Japan and other countries for adults ages 60 and older. A single dose of the British drugmaker's shot elicited an immune response in adults ages 50 to 59 who are at an increased risk of catching RSV due to certain underlying medical conditions. The immune response wasn't worse than that observed in adults 60 and above, GSK said in a release. Safety data in adults ages 50 to 59 was also consistent with data in adults 60 and above, according to GSK.

Persons: Tony Wood Organizations: GlaxoSmithKline, Arexvy, GSK, Food and Drug Administration Locations: U.S, Europe, Japan, British

☆ Pro Take: Making Medicines Greener
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Cecilia Butini | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +6 min

Photo: mohamed hossam/ShutterstockMaking and supplying medicines generates roughly a third of the global healthcare industry’s greenhouse-gas emissions. Photo: Carlos Jasso/Bloomberg NewsBritish drugmaker GSK , for instance, plans to run on 100% renewable electricity by 2025 and to reach net-zero emissions across its value chain by 2045. GSK partnered with AstraZeneca , Merck KGaA, Novo Nordisk , Roche Holding , Samsung Biologics and Sanofi to form the SMI Health Systems Task Force in 2021. Last year, the partnership decided to strengthen their collaboration by focusing on cutting emissions in the near term and transitioning faster toward net-zero health systems. Novartis aims to achieve net-zero emissions across its value chain by 2040.

Persons: mohamed hossam, Carlos Jasso, “ We’ve, ”, Mike Peirce, Aurelio Arias, Arias, Claire Lund, Sanofi, Annabelle Harreguy, IQVIA’s Arias, “ It’s, ” Arias, Cecilia Butini Organizations: Pharmaceutical, Pharma, GSK, Bloomberg News British, Climate Group, Climate, Business, Sustainable Markets, Health Systems, Force, AstraZeneca, Merck KGaA, Novo Nordisk, Roche Holding, Samsung Biologics, Sanofi, SMI, Systems, Novartis, World Health Organization, cecilia.butini@wsj.com Locations: GSK’s, China, India, Novo

The trial for the Cantlay/Harper case, which was set to begin on Nov. 13, will now be dismissed, GSK said, adding it had also settled three remaining breast cancer cases in California related to the same drug. The latest settlements in California were related to cases due to go to trial in November, with a further set scheduled to begin in Delaware courts in January, GSK said. The company still faces about 79,000 cases related to Zantac in the United States, with 73,000 of them in Delaware. GSK did not admit any liability and said it would vigorously defend itself in any other Zantac cases. In June, GSK agreed to settle a similar lawsuit in California.

Persons: Harper, Brendan McDermid, Morgan, Jeffries, Zantac, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eva Mathews, Maggie Fick, Nivedita Bhattacharjee, Bernadette Baum, Louise Heavens, Emelia Organizations: pare, Citi, GSK, Reuters, REUTERS, Barclays, Pfizer, Sanofi, FDA, Thomson Locations: California, British, Delaware, United States, Arexvy, California . California, Bengaluru, London

REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 11 (Reuters) - GSK (GSK.L) on Wednesday said it would confidentially settle another lawsuit in California alleging its discontinued heartburn drug Zantac caused cancer, as the British drugmaker sought to end costly litigation. The latest settlements in California related to cases due to go to trial in November, with a further set scheduled to begin in Delaware courts in January, GSK said. The company still faces about 79,000 cases related to Zantac in the United States, with 73,000 of them in Delaware. Late in June, the company agreed to settle a similar lawsuit with California resident James Goetz who alleged he developed bladder cancer after taking Zantac. The settlement could be read that GSK sees a risk that these Zantac cases are strong enough that the company might lose at trial, J.P Morgan added.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Morgan, Harper, Zantac, Boehringer Ingelheim, James Goetz, J.P Morgan, Eva Mathews, Maggie Fick, Nivedita Bhattacharjee, Bernadette Baum Organizations: REUTERS, GSK, Citi, J.P, Pfizer, Sanofi, FDA, Thomson Locations: California, British, Delaware, United States, Bengaluru, London

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON/SHANGHAI Oct 9 (Reuters) - China's largest vaccines company Zhifei (300122.SZ) will pay British drugmaker GSK (GSK.L) 2.5 billion pounds ($3.05 billion pound) for the exclusive rights to distribute GSK's shingles vaccine in the world's No.2 pharmaceuticals market. The deal with Zhifei is part of its efforts to reach more 4 billion pounds ($4.88 billion) in sales by 2026, GSK said. Zhifei will purchase volumes of Shingrix with a value to GSK worth 2.5 billion pounds over an initial three-year period, GSK said. Zhifei shares were up as much as 20% to 58.40 yuan ($8.00) following the filing, their highest point since March 27. Shingrix is currently GSK's biggest product and strongest growth driver, taking in 1.71 billion pounds in first-half sales, up 20% from a year prior.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Zhifei, Shingrix, Maggie Fick, Andrew Silver, Eva Mathews, Savio D'Souza, Louise Heavens Organizations: GSK, GlaxoSmithKline, REUTERS, British, AstraZeneca, Zhifei, Barclays, Reuters, Thomson Locations: SHANGHAI, China, United States, London, Shanghai, Bengaluru

☆ GSK raises $1.1 billion from Haleon stake sale
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration Acquire Licensing RightsOct 6 (Reuters) - British drugmaker GSK (GSK.L) on Friday said it raised 885.6 million pounds ($1.08 billion) from a discounted stake sale in Haleon (HLN.L), cutting its shareholding to 7.4% in the world's largest standalone consumer healthcare firm. The sale of 270 million shares at 328 pence apiece, represented a discount of about 2.5% to Haleon's last close of 336.25 pence on Thursday. Shares in Haleon were down 1.2% while GSK was marginally up 0.4% at 0800 GMT. Pfizer, which holds a 32% stake in Haleon, said in May it plans to cut its ownership in a "slow and methodical" manner within months. The British drugmaker and Pfizer have agreed to not sell any further Haleon shares for 60 days from the settlement of placing.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Emma Walmsley, Prerna Bedi, Sonia Cheema, Elaine Hardcastle Organizations: GSK, GlaxoSmithKline, REUTERS, British, AstraZeneca, London Stock Exchange, Pfizer, Thomson Locations: Haleon, British, Bengaluru

☆ AstraZeneca's Tagrisso-chemo combo results raise bar for J&J cancer drug-analysts
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Maggie Fick | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Sept 11 (Reuters) - Data released on Monday by AstraZeneca (AZN.L) from a late-stage trial combining its blockbuster cancer drug Tagrisso with chemotherapy to treat a type of lung cancer raises the bar for Johnson & Johnson's (JNJ.N) rival treatment, analysts said. A brief summary from the Phase 3 trial, called FLAURA2, was released in May, and the detailed data was presented on Monday in Singapore at the World Conference on Lung Cancer. The FLAURA2 trial showed that when adding chemotherapy to Tagrisso, the risk of disease progression or death is reduced by 38% when compared to Tagrisso alone. "With the strong FLAURA-2 data in hand and likely included in treatment guidelines soon, the hurdle is now pretty high in our view for MARIPOSA," the UBS note read. Barclays analysts said the FLAURA2 trial data presented on Monday included doctor and patient surveys that showed a strong preference for the convenience of a single therapy compared with combinations.

Persons: Johnson, Pascal Soriot, Michel Demare, Soriot, Maggie Fick, Emelia Sithole Organizations: AstraZeneca, Lung Cancer, Barclays, UBS, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Singapore, British, MARIPOSA

REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsAug 25 (Reuters) - AstraZeneca (AZN.L) said on Friday it has sued the U.S. government to block parts of a program that gives the Medicare health insurance plan the power to negotiate lower drug prices. The program faces at least seven other court challenges, including from leading industry group PhRMA and drugmakers Johnson & Johnson (JNJ.N), Merck & Co (MRK.N), Bristol Myers Squibb (BMY.N) and privately-held Boehringer Ingelheim. The drug price negotiation program is part of President Joe Biden's signature Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). ‍AstraZeneca said the program would deter continued development of treatments such as its cancer drug Lynparza and rare blood disorder drug Soliris, which carry orphan drug status for multiple conditions. An HHS spokesperson said in a statement that the agency "will vigorously defend the President's drug price negotiation law, which is already helping to lower healthcare costs for seniors and people with disabilities."

Persons: Brendan McDermid, drugmakers Johnson, Johnson, Joe Biden's, AstraZeneca, Bhanvi, Dhanya Ann Thoppil, Shilpi Majumdar Organizations: AstraZeneca, New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, U.S, Merck & Co, Bristol Myers Squibb, U.S . Department of Health, Human Services, Thomson Locations: British, Delaware, United States, U.S, Bengaluru

FILE PHOTO: The company logo for pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca is displayed on a screen on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange, U.S., April 8, 2019. The drug price negotiation program is part of President Joe Biden's signature Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The program faces several other court challenges, including from leading industry groups and other drug companies. ‍AstraZeneca said it was filing a legal challenge in a bid to "protect timely access to medicines for orphan indications" in the United States. Reporting by Bhanvi Satija in Bengaluru; Editing by Dhanya Ann Thoppil and Shilpi MajumdarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Joe Biden's, AstraZeneca, Bhanvi, Dhanya Ann Thoppil, Shilpi Majumdar Organizations: AstraZeneca, New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, drugmaker AstraZeneca, Thomson Locations: United States, Bengaluru

☆ GSK Nigeria calls an end to its business, to return cash
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Chijioke Ohuocha | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

ABUJA, Aug 3 (Reuters) - GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Nigeria (GLAXOSM.LG) said on Thursday it plans to stop doing business after evaluating the options for moving to a third-party distribution model for its drugs and consumer healthcare goods. GSK Nigeria, which has faced increased competition from local companies and imports from India and China, said its half-year sales had dropped to 7.75 billion naira ($9.82 million), from 14.8 billion naira in the same period a year ago. GSK Nigeria said it is working with advisers to agree next steps and plans to submit a scheme of arrangement to Nigeria's Securities and Exchange Commission, which if approved will see it return cash to shareholders except its parent GSK. "For the above reasons, and having, together with GSK UK, evaluated various other options, the Board of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc has concluded that there is no alternative but to cease operations," GSK Nigeria said in a statement. Shares in GSK Nigeria, in which British drugmaker GSK has a 46.4% stake and Nigerian shareholders the remaining 53.6%, closed at 8.10 naira, down from a peak of 42.24 naira in 2014.

Persons: Bola Tinubu, Tinubu, Chijioke Ohuocha, Alexander Smith Organizations: GlaxoSmithKline, GSK, Nigeria's Securities, Exchange Commission, Haleon, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc, British, Thomson Locations: ABUJA, Nigeria, GSK Nigeria, India, China, British, Africa

☆ AstraZeneca to buy Pfizer's rare disease gene therapy portfolio for up to $1 bln
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] FILE PHOTO-Test tubes are seen in front of a displayed AstraZeneca logo in this illustration taken, May 21, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File PhotoJuly 28 (Reuters) - AstraZeneca (AZN.L) said on Friday its unit Alexion has agreed to buy U.S. drugmaker Pfizer's <PFE.N> early-stage rare disease gene therapy portfolio for up to $1 billion, plus royalties on sales. AstraZeneca bought Alexion in 2021. It focuses on rare diseases and plans to close the deal in the third quarter, the British drugmaker said. AAV capsids have been shown to be an effective mechanism for delivering therapeutic gene cargos for gene therapy and gene editing, the company said.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Alexion, drugmaker, AAV, Yadarisa, Nivedita Organizations: AstraZeneca, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru

GSK reckons the spin-off has allowed the company to sharpen its focus on vaccines and infectious diseases and with $7 billion generated by the Haleon spin-off, it can fund deals to bolster a lacklustre drug pipeline. The company also reported an adjusted profit of 38.8 pence per share for the quarter, on sales of about 7.18 billion pounds ($9.26 billion). Analysts were expecting a profit of 34.7 pence per share on sales of about 6.77 billion pounds, according to company-compiled consensus estimates. Sales of Shingrix, the company's top-selling drug, generated 880 million pounds, beating analyst estimates of 872 million pounds. Sales of HIV treatments generated 1.58 billion in the quarter, ahead of the company-compiled consensus of about 1.5 billion pounds in the quarter.

Persons: Zantac, Emma Walmsley, Walmsley, Markus Manns, Dani Saurymper, Maggie Fick, Radhika Anilkumar, Janane Venkatraman, Savio D'Souza, Josephine Mason Organizations: GSK, British, Analysts, U.S, Union Investment, Pacific Asset Management, Thomson Locations: London, Bengaluru

☆ Nine new African countries to receive millions of malaria vaccines- GAVI
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

July 5 (Reuters) - Global vaccine alliance GAVI said on Wednesday 12 countries in Africa would receive 18 million doses of malaria vaccine over the next two years, expanding access to the shots to nine new countries in the region. Malaria remains one of the continent's deadliest diseases, killing nearly half a million children each year under the age of five. In 2021, Africa accounted for about 95% of global malaria cases and 96% of deaths, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). "At least 28 African countries have expressed interest in receiving the RTS,S (malaria) vaccine," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a media briefing, adding that a second malaria vaccine was under review for pre-qualification and if successful, could provide additional supply in the short term. The first doses of the RTS,S vaccine are expected to reach the 12 African countries during the last quarter of 2023, allowing them to start rolling out by early next year.

Persons: GAVI, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Raghav Mahobe, Shinjini Organizations: World Health Organization, WHO, GAVI, UNICEF, British, GSK, Democratic, Thomson Locations: Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Niger, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Bengaluru

The pan-European STOXX 600 index (.STOXX) dipped 0.2%, reversing gains of some 0.4%, to kick off the first day of the second half of the year on the back foot. The broader healthcare index (.SXDP) fell 2.0%, leading falls among sectors. The moves helped Italy's financials-heavy benchmark FTSE MIB (.FTMIB) climb 0.8%, a bright spot among other bourses in the region. The broader STOXX 600 had gained 8.7% in the first half of the year, largely due to strong gains early into 2023. "A muted atmosphere prevails across stock markets this afternoon," said Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at online trading platform IG.

Persons: Assicurazioni, Delfin, Italy's, Chris Beauchamp, Amruta Khandekar, Shreyashi Sanyal, Matteo Allievi, Nivedita Bhattacharjee, Janane Venkatraman, Conor Humphries Organizations: Miners, AstraZeneca, Generali, British, MIB, European Central Bank, Thomson Locations: China, Bengaluru, Gdansk

July 3 (Reuters) - AstraZeneca (AZN.L) said on Monday an experimental precision drug slowed progression of lung cancer in a late-stage trial, but the company's shares fell as much as 6% as analysts said the benefits may not be as pronounced as hoped. It declined to provide more trial details, saying they would be presented at an as yet undisclosed medical conference. At 0855 GMT, shares in AstraZeneca were down 5.8% at their lowest level in more than three months. Gilead (GILD.O) has pioneered the targeting of TROP2 with an ADC named Trodelvy, approved to treat certain types of breast and bladder cancer. AstraZeneca said that the datopotamab deruxtecan trial would continue as planned to assess the effect of the drug on overall survival of patients, another important efficacy criterion.

Persons: datopotamab, AstraZeneca, British drugmaker, Kelun, Maggie Fick, Ludwig Burger, Sinchita Mitra, Lucy Raitano, Krishna Chandra Eluri, Susan Fenton Organizations: AstraZeneca, Japan's, Merck & Co, Biotech of, Barclays, Thomson Locations: British, Biotech of China, London, Frankfurt, Bengaluru

The STOXX 600 (.STOXX) index closed 0.3% lower after data showed euro zone business growth stalled this month as the downturn in manufacturing deepened. "A hike was fully expected, but the magnitude of the rise surprised most," said RBC Brewin Dolphin’s head of asset allocation, Paul Danis. Germany's DAX index (.GDAXI) shed 1.0%, leading losses among regional peers as shares of Siemens Energy (ENR1n.DE) sank 37.3%. DATA DIGESTWhile euro zone business growth stalled in June, a separate reading showed German business activity slowed notably this month. French business activity contracted this month for the first time in five months, data showed.

Persons: Germany's DAX, Paul Danis, DAX, Clemente De Lucia, Shreyashi Sanyal, Bansari, Eileen Soreng, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Siemens Energy, GSK, Bank of England, Norges Bank, Swiss National Bank, Investors, RBC, Bank, Siemens, Deutsche Bank Research, Thomson Locations: U.S, Stockholm, Helsinki, Bengaluru

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