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☆ BioNTech starts human trial to test malaria vaccine
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/IllustrationBERLIN, Dec 23 (Reuters) - BioNTech (22UAy.DE) on Friday initiated an early-stage study to evaluate its experimental malaria vaccine in humans, the German drugmaker said. The Phase 1 trial is expected to enrol 60 volunteers in the United States with no history of malaria to assess the vaccine candidate at three-dose levels. Known as BNT165b1, it is the first vaccine candidate from BioNTech's malaria project, which will also establish vaccine production in Africa. Another keenly-watched effort is a malaria vaccine from Oxford University. BioNTech's malaria vaccine effort is based on its mRNA technology, which was employed during the pandemic to quickly develop COVID-19 vaccines, by prompting the human body to make a protein that is part of the pathogen, triggering an immune response.

☆ GSK to stop selling blood cancer drug Blenrep in United States
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Pushkala Aripaka | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

GSK said access to Blenrep in other countries where it is marketed is unaffected, including across the European Union. The company is still discussing the latest clinical data with EU health authorities, a GSK official said. The drug was given speedy approval by the FDA in 2020 and approved for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who received at least four previous therapies. Last year the drug achieved 89 million pounds ($105 million) in global sales, about two thirds of which was from the United States. Blenrep belongs to a category of treatments called antibody drug conjugates, which are engineered antibodies that bind to tumour cells and then release cell-killing chemicals.

☆ Big pharma not doing enough to improve drug access - analysis
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Natalie Grover | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] A doctor tests a child for malaria at the Ithani-Asheri Hospital in Arusha, Tanzania, May 11, 2016. While there has been progress, there remain some gaping holes that need to be prioritised in the coming years, Access to Medicine Foundation CEO Jayasree Iyer told Reuters. The findings mirror a long-established pattern - that the pharmaceutical industry will prioritise countries where there is a market, she said. "If we consistently see that the industry leaves low income countries behind, then we're never going to solve the problem of access at scale," she said. In terms of overall rankings on the Access to Medicine Index, British drugmaker GSK (GSK.L) retained the top spot, closely followed by U.S. pharma major Johnson & Johnson (J&J) (JNJ.N).

☆ Miners, energy stocks drag FTSE 100 as China upholds COVID policy
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SummarySummary Companies FTSE 100 down 0.5%, FTSE 250 off 0.1%Nov 7 (Reuters) - UK's export-oriented FTSE 100 started the week on a lacklustre note, dragged down by energy and mining stocks, as China dampened hopes of a rebound in commodity demand after it reiterated its zero-COVID policy to curb outbreaks. The blue-chip FTSE 100 (.FTSE) fell 0.5% on Monday, while the mid-cap FTSE 250 (.FTMC) was down 0.1% by 0808 GMT. Energy stocks (.FTNMX601010) and miners (.FTNMX551030) were off 1.1% and 0.2%, respectively, tracking commodity prices that were hit as stringent COVID-19 curbs darkened demand outlook from China. METL/Mortgage lender Halifax said British house prices fell in October at the fastest monthly rate since February 2021. Reporting by Johann M Cherian in Bengaluru; Editing by Sherry Jacob-PhillipsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ GSK lifts earnings view again after forecast-beating quarter
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Natalie Grover | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] GSK (GlaxoSmithKline) logo is seen in this illustration, August 10, 2022. Shingrix generated sales of 760 million pounds ($873 million) compared with the GSK-compiled analyst consensus forecast for 685 million pounds. In July, GSK had predicted 2022 sales growth of 6% to 8% and adjusted operating profit to climb by 13% to 15%, both increases on forecasts issued in February. GSK said it had incurred a charge of 45 million pounds in the third quarter, primarily reflecting provisions for increased legal fees related to heartburn drug Zantac. Originally marketed by a forerunner of GSK, Zantac has been sold by several companies at different times, including Pfizer (PFE.N), Boehringer Ingelheim and Sanofi (SASY.PA) as well as a plethora of generic drugmakers.

☆ GSK lifts 2022 forecast again after stronger than expected quarter
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Natalie Grover | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] GSK (GlaxoSmithKline) logo is seen in this illustration, August 10, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File PhotoNov 2 (Reuters) - GSK (GSK.L) on Wednesday GSK (GSK.L) on Wednesday smashed analysts' estimates for third-quarter earnings, driven by higher sales of its blockbuster shingles vaccine, Shingrix. This quarter, Shingrix blew past expectations by generating sales of 760 million pounds ($872.86 million) compared to the GSK-compiled consensus of 685 million pounds. GSK reported third-quarter adjusted profit of 46.9 pence on sales of about 7.83 billion pounds, compared with a company-compiled analyst consensus of 40.1 pence on sales of 7.32 billion pounds. Previously in July, GSK had predicted that 2022 sales would rise 6% to 8% and adjusted operating profit to climb by 13% to 15%, boosting a forecast for 2022 guidance issued in February.

☆ New GSK shines brighter with another forecast upgrade
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Natalie Grover | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Shingrix generated quarterly sales of 760 million pounds ($873 million), compared with the GSK-compiled analyst consensus forecast for 685 million pounds. GSK shares hit a 2-1/2 month high of 1,470.2 pence in early trade and were last up 1% at 1,461.3 pence. GSK said it had incurred a charge of 45 million pounds in the third quarter, primarily reflecting provisions for increased legal fees related Zantac. Originally marketed by a forerunner of GSK, Zantac has been sold by companies including Pfizer (PFE.N), Boehringer Ingelheim and Sanofi (SASY.PA), as well as many generic drugmakers. GSK reported a third-quarter adjusted profit of 46.9 pence per share on sales of about 7.83 billion pounds, topping analysts' forecasts for 40.1 pence and 7.32 billion pounds.

☆ FTSE 100 dips as mixed earnings offset Sunak-driven optimism
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The FTSE 100 index (.FTSE) was down 0.1% by 0747 GMT, while the midcap FTSE 250 (.FTMC) rose 0.2%. Shares of WPP (WPP.L) dropped 3.6% to the bottom of FTSE 100 after the group tempered its expectations for operating margin growth, and Reckitt Benckiser (RKT.L) slumped 3.2% despite providing a positive sales outlook. read moreSunak said he would try to fix the mess left by his predecessor, restore trust in British politics and tackle a "profound economic crisis". Shares of Standard Chartered (STAN.L) and Barclays (BARC.L) slipped even as both the lenders reported higher quarterly profit. read moreReporting by Johann M Cherian in Bengaluru; Editing by Sherry Jacob-PhillipsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ GSK says key trial data shows its RSV vaccine is 'truly exceptional'
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Late-stage data unveiled on Thursday showed GSK's respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine was 82.6% effective in a keenly watched late-stage study involving older adults. The trial, which involved roughly 25,000 adults aged 60 and over, tested a single dose of the experimental vaccine against a placebo. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterVaccine efficacy against severe lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) associated with an RSV infection was 94.1%, the British drugmaker said. GSK is a key player in the race to develop a safe and effective RSV vaccine, which, if approved, is expected to generate billions in sales for its maker. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Natalie Grover; Editing by Mark Potter and Jan HarveyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ RSV vaccine race heats up with highly effective GSK shot
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( Natalie Grover | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Data unveiled on Thursday showed GSK's (GSK.L) respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine was 82.6% effective in a keenly watched late-stage study involving older adults. The company is a key player in the race to develop a safe and effective RSV vaccine, which, if approved, is expected to generate billions in sales for its maker. If approved, Jefferies analysts have forecast $2.5 billion in global RSV vaccine peak sales in older adults for GSK. U.S. drugmaker Pfizer (PFE.N) in August disclosed positive Phase III data on its rival RSV vaccine in older adults. In trial participants with pre-existing conditions, the GSK vaccine was shown to be 94.6% effective, while in adults aged 70 to 79 it was 93.8% effective, the company said.

☆ GSK picks Burberry's Brown as CFO
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterGSK (GlaxoSmithKline) logo is seen in this illustration, August 10, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/SummarySummary Companies Brown to join GSK in April, start as CFO in MayCFO Iain Mackay to retireSept 26 (Reuters) - GSK (GSK.L) named luxury fashion brand Burberry's (BRBY.L) Julie Brown as its new chief financial officer on Monday to succeed Iain Mackay, at a time when the British drugmaker is sharpening focus on its core business. The change comes after GSK spun off its large consumer business, Haleon (HLN.L), to focus on prescription drugs and vaccines. Burberry had said on Friday that Brown would step down as its CFO and chief operating officer in April to take up a role outside the luxury industry. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Amna Karimi and Pushkala Aripaka in Bengaluru; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu and Louise HeavensOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Mackay, 60, will be retiring next year after serving as GSK's finance chief for nearly four years, following an eight-year stint as group finance director at the bank HSBC. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterBrown, also 60, will join GSK in April and take up the job in May. She also served in several finance roles at AstraZeneca (AZN.L), which last year also appointed a female CFO, Aradhana Sarin. With Emma Walmsley as GSK's chief executive officer, Brown's appointment also creates a rare, all-female top management at a blue-chip (.FTSE) British company and a global pharma major. Brown will receive an annual base salary of more than 900,000 pounds at GSK, the company said.

☆ GSK poaches Burberry CFO Julie Brown to create all-female top team, Sky News reports
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterGSK (GlaxoSmithKline) logo is seen in this illustration, August 10, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/IllustrationSept 24 (Reuters) - British drugmaker GSK plc has poached Burberry Group's (BRBY.L) finance chief to create a rare all-female executive leadership team, Sky News reported on Saturday. GSK could announce as soon as Monday morning that it has recruited Julie Brown to replace Iain Mackay, who has served as its chief financial officer since 2019, the report added. On Friday, Burberry announced that its finance chief Julie Brown will step down in April 2023 after more than five years in the role. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Jaiveer Singh Shekhawat in Bengaluru Editing by Peter GraffOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ GSK poaches Burberry CFO Julie Brown to create all-female top team - Sky News
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

☆ WHO 'strongly advises against' use of two COVID treatments
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-15 | by ( Natalie Grover | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A woman holds a small bottle labelled with a "Coronavirus COVID-19 Vaccine" sticker and a medical syringe in this illustration taken October 30, 2020. The virus has since evolved, and mounting evidence from lab tests suggests the two therapies - sotrovimab as well as casirivimab-imdevimab - have limited clinical activity against the latest iterations of the virus. Another COVID therapy that emerged early in pandemic was Gilead's (GILD.O) antiviral remdesivir. The WHO expanded its conditional recommendation for the drug, advising that it can be used in patients with severe COVID as well as non-severe COVID patients at the highest risk of hospitalization. There are a handful of existing COVID therapeutics that remain useful in the fight against the virus, and others in development that are expected to also benefit patients.

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