GSK Announces U.S. Government Purchase Of Relenza(R) For State Stockpiles

GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:
GSK) today announced an agreement with the U.S. Government to provide
states with the anti-viral Relenza(R) (zanamivir for inhalation) as they
prepare for a potential influenza pandemic.


The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is guaranteeing the
initial purchase of $16.8 million of Relenza. This purchase will help
states, territories, and the District of Columbia to begin adding Relenza
to their pandemic stockpiles at a federally subsidized price. Over the
two-year contract, these jurisdictions can make additional purchases of
Relenza up to a potential total of 15.5 million treatment courses.


"This agreement signals another critical step in preparing America for
the threat of a possible flu pandemic," said David Stout, President
Pharmaceutical Operations, GlaxoSmithKline. "Government stockpiles will
help people to get anti-virals like Relenza quickly if a pandemic occurs."


To date, HHS has announced the purchase of nearly 4 million treatment
courses of Relenza for the Strategic National Stockpile.


Relenza is approved for both the prophylaxis and treatment of Influenza
A and B in children and adults. Relenza is not recommended for people who
have chronic lung disease such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease. Some patients have had bronchospasm (wheezing) or serious
breathing problems when they used Relenza. Relenza is an inhaled medicine
delivered through a device called a Diskhaler(R) to the surface of the
upper respiratory tract. For more information on Relenza, visit
Relenza.


About GlaxoSmithKline


As a leading provider of vaccines and anti-viral medications, GSK is
committed to doing everything it can to support governments and health
authorities around the world in planning to respond to a global influenza
pandemic.


GlaxoSmithKline has an active research and development program targeted
at both seasonal and pandemic influenza, and has committed over $2 billion
to expand capacity for manufacturing flu vaccine and its anti-viral
influenza treatment Relenza.


In North America, GSK has acquired a major influenza vaccine
manufacturer, ID Biomedical Corporation, which provides GSK with a
significant increase in flu vaccine manufacturing capacity. GSK has been
awarded a $274 million contract from HHS to speed the development of new
cell culture-based seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines and to scale-up
cell culture manufacturing capability at its Marietta, PA facility.


GSK markets over 25 vaccines worldwide to prevent potentially
life-threatening or crippling illnesses such as hepatitis A, hepatitis B,
diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, measles, mumps, rubella, polio,
typhoid, influenza and bacterial meningitis.


GlaxoSmithKline is one of the world's leading research-based
pharmaceutical and health care companies. GlaxoSmithKline is committed to
improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel
better and live longer. For company information visit: gsk.


GlaxoSmithKline

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View drug information on Relenza.