Glaxo, SmithKline merger official

Our Corporate Bureau

Mumbai, Oct 8: Glaxo India Ltd and SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals (India) Ltd have legally merged to form GlaxoSmithKline Pharamceuticals Ltd (GSK) in India.

The global merger of the two companies came into effect in December 2000.

The merger in India brings together two strong companies
to create a formidable presence in the domestic market with a market-share of about seven per cent.

Commenting on the prospects of the company in India,
GSK vice-chairman and managing director V Thyagarajan said, “The two companies that have merged to become GlaxoSmithKline in India have a great heritage — a fact that gets reflected in their products with strong brand equity.”

“The two companies have a strong history of commitment to India and enjoy a very good reputation with doctors, patients, regulatory authorities and trade bodies.

At GSK it would be our endeavour to leverage these strengths to further consolidate our market leadership.”

The enhanced basket of products of GSK and the field force of over 2,000 employees and more than 5,000 stockists will help the company have a significant reach in India, according to a company release.