GlaxoSmithKline acquires influenza vaccine manufacturer

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has completed its acquisition of ID Biomedical, following regulatory clearances of the transaction and agreement of the deal by ID Biomedical's shareholders. The company becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of GSK.

ID Biomedical provides GSK with a significant increase in flu vaccine manufacturing capacity, which will improve GSK's ability to address both seasonal and pandemic influenza threats. This transaction follows recent strategic initiatives to expand its vaccine research and production network in North America, including the acquisition of Corixa Corporation and the purchase of the Marietta, PA vaccine site.

The combined seasonal flu vaccine production capacity of the newly acquired Canadian facilities and of GSK's Dresden plant, Germany, is expected to reach around 150 million doses per year before the end of this decade.

In the next five years, GSK hopes to launch five major new vaccines in some countries: an HPV vac-cine targeting cervical cancer, a vaccine against rotavirus already approved in 23 countries, a vaccine to prevent pneumococcal disease, an improved flu vaccine for the elderly, and a meningitis combination vaccine for infants in the US.