This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/glaxosmithkline-sell-off-130-brands-cost-savings-big-pharma-drugs-company-jobs-cut-a7861216.html
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| GlaxoSmithKline to sell more than 130 brands in massive cost saving drive | GlaxoSmithKline to sell more than 130 brands in massive cost saving drive |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) says it will offload more than 130 of its non-core brands as it extends a major cost cutting programme that saw it announce 320 job cuts last week. | Pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) says it will offload more than 130 of its non-core brands as it extends a major cost cutting programme that saw it announce 320 job cuts last week. |
| It is one of the first major moves by GSK under new chief executive Emma Walmsley, and is meant to help deliver an additional £1bn in annual cost savings by 2020. | |
| "A key driver of the new savings will be through realising efficiency improvements in the Group's supply chain", GSK said. | "A key driver of the new savings will be through realising efficiency improvements in the Group's supply chain", GSK said. |
| The company also said it would be terminating select development programmes which are "unlikely to generate sufficient returns" and had so far taken the decision to cut more than 30 pre-clinical and clinical programmes - including those involved in treatments of hepatitis C, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and solid tumours. | The company also said it would be terminating select development programmes which are "unlikely to generate sufficient returns" and had so far taken the decision to cut more than 30 pre-clinical and clinical programmes - including those involved in treatments of hepatitis C, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and solid tumours. |
| "The Group has also undertaken a strategic review of its rare diseases unit and is now considering options for future ownership of these assets," the company said. | "The Group has also undertaken a strategic review of its rare diseases unit and is now considering options for future ownership of these assets," the company said. |
| GSK added that savings from its raft of divestments are earmarked for funding new product launches, research and development, and for offsetting price pressures | GSK added that savings from its raft of divestments are earmarked for funding new product launches, research and development, and for offsetting price pressures |
| The pharmaceutical giant last week outlined plans sell off its malt drink Horlicks brand in the UK and close the associated manufacturing site in Slough, while outsourcing some of the antibiotics manufacturing activity at its plant in Worthing. | The pharmaceutical giant last week outlined plans sell off its malt drink Horlicks brand in the UK and close the associated manufacturing site in Slough, while outsourcing some of the antibiotics manufacturing activity at its plant in Worthing. |
| It also backtracked on plans to invest in a biopharmaceutical facility in Cumbria, saying it "no longer needs the additional capacity", adding that a strategic review of its antibiotics division could result in a sale of the business and its related manufacturing plants. | It also backtracked on plans to invest in a biopharmaceutical facility in Cumbria, saying it "no longer needs the additional capacity", adding that a strategic review of its antibiotics division could result in a sale of the business and its related manufacturing plants. |
| Last week's proposals are expected to result in 320 permanent GSK staff losing their jobs over the next four years. | Last week's proposals are expected to result in 320 permanent GSK staff losing their jobs over the next four years. |
| GSK announced the additional cuts as part of its second quarter results, which showed a 12 per cent rise in revenue to £7.3bn. | GSK announced the additional cuts as part of its second quarter results, which showed a 12 per cent rise in revenue to £7.3bn. |
| However, when stripped of currency effects including the weak pound, turnover grew just 3 per cent. | However, when stripped of currency effects including the weak pound, turnover grew just 3 per cent. |
| The company also managed to shave down its pre-tax loss to £178m compared to £318m last year. | The company also managed to shave down its pre-tax loss to £178m compared to £318m last year. |
| However, GSK has cut its full-year guidance for earnings per share (EPS) by around two percentage points due to costs linked to the launch of a new HIV drug treatment. | However, GSK has cut its full-year guidance for earnings per share (EPS) by around two percentage points due to costs linked to the launch of a new HIV drug treatment. |
| It now forecasts adjusted EPS growth of between 3 per cent and 5 per cent on a constant currency basis. | It now forecasts adjusted EPS growth of between 3 per cent and 5 per cent on a constant currency basis. |
| Ms Walmsley welcomed the results, saying it was "another quarter of progress for GSK". | Ms Walmsley welcomed the results, saying it was "another quarter of progress for GSK". |
| "Our priority for the second half of the year is to maintain this momentum and prepare for the successful execution of several important near-term launches in respiratory, vaccines and HIV," she added. | "Our priority for the second half of the year is to maintain this momentum and prepare for the successful execution of several important near-term launches in respiratory, vaccines and HIV," she added. |
| Press Association | Press Association |