GlaxoSmithKline India to Begin Vaccines Production in 2006

The Indian affiliate of UK-based drug major GlaxoSmithKline, GSK India, has announced plans to begin vaccines production in the country at a new facility by early 2006. The company, which also recently announced that it would seek to make a limited number of generic medicines in the country, would invest about INR1bn (US$22.87mn) at the new site, replacing production at its parent's world vaccines centre in Belgium, GSK Biologicals.

GSK India, 49.2% owned by its UK parent, currently has a limited but fast-expanding research portfolio which could receive a boost from the transfer of vaccines production. GSK has recently launched a vaccine for rotavirus-related gastroenteritis, and has additional leading products inoculating against malaria, tubercolosis, dengue fever, Hepatitis E and Typhoid.