GSK and Biological E. announce joint venture to develop combination vaccine for India and other developing countries

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Biological E Limited (Biological E.), a leading Indian vaccines company, today announced an agreement to form a 50/50 joint venture (JV) for the early stage research and development of a six-in-one combination paediatric vaccine to help protect children in India and other developing countries from polio and other infectious diseases.

If approved, the vaccine, which would combine GSK’s injectable polio vaccine (IPV) and Biological E’s pentavalent vaccine for diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (whole cell pertussis), hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type b, could be the first of its kind. The vaccine would enable fewer injections for children thereby improving compliance in immunisation schedules.  The fully liquid formulation of the vaccine also means it would be ready to use with no additional ingredients or materials required, freeing up space at local storage facilities.    

The JV will bear the development costs for the candidate vaccine, which is expected to enter phase 1 development in the next two years. A small initial cash investment will be made by both companies to cover start-up costs for the JV and subsequent development costs will be split equally

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 further information please visit www.gsk.com

Biological E is a privately held company established in 1953. Biological E. Limited (Bio E) is a globally focused biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and markets innovative vaccines and biologics that respond to health care needs worldwide. The company’s product development efforts are driven by an internationally experienced management team and the company has several strategic partnerships with leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies and research institutes around the world.