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LONDON (Alliance News) - GlaxoSmithKline PLC Monday announced a series of new investments in sub-Saharan Africa of up to GBP130 million over the next five years to increase access to medicines, build its capacity and contribute to its long-term business growth.
Glaxo said it plans to build on its existing business base in the region, creating at least 500 jobs.
Glaxo's Chief Executive Andrew Witty set out plans to partner with the governments of African countries to further research into chronic diseases, localising medicine supply and strengthening healthcare infrastructure at the fifth EU-Africa Business Forum in Brussels
"With global attention focused on how we support development beyond 2015, now is the moment for business to play a more active role in contributing to a more prosperous future in Africa, investing in infrastructure, building skills and capability to unlock human potential and create jobs. Our long-term goal is to equip Africa to discover, develop and produce the medicines required for Africa," Witty said at the meeting.
It will invest GBP25 million to create a research and development Open Lab for non-communicable diseases in Africa. Glaxo scientists will collaborate with research and scientific centres across Africa from its Stevenage research and development facility in the UK.
Over the next five years Glaxo will invest up to GBP100 million to expand its existing manufacturing capability in Nigeria and Kenya, and build up to five new factories in Africa.
It will established up to 25 academic Chairs at local African universities, which its says will help facilitate the development of new courses as well as intern ships and student exchanges.
Glaxo is also seeking to simplify its supply chain and create regional supply hubs to help reduce stock shortages, and local supply partnerships to reach under-served rural communities in Africa.
It will work with its local partner Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd, and regulators, to increase the registration of medicines and vaccines in its existing portfolio. It will keep developing its malaria vaccine, and its looking to create new products to tackle childhood malnourishment.
Over the next three years Glaxo plans to partner with charities to train and up-skill 10,000 community healthcare works across Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria, under the UN led initiative the One Million Community Health Work campaign.
In a separate statement Monday, Glaxo said that its Phase III STABILITY study for darapladib in the treatment of patients with chronic coronary heart disease failed to meet its primary endpoint, although it said that the effects of the drug on the reduction of coronary events was of potential interest.
Shares in Glaxo were trading down 0.6% at 1,608.50 pence Monday morning.
By Hana Stewart-Smith; hanassmith@alliancenews.com; @HanaSSAllNews
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