WRAL Tech Wire

 GSK: Internal investigation finds no bribery in China operations

GlaxoSmithKline says it has found no evidence of bribery involving its business in China following a four-month investigation. Earlier this week, the drug giant fired a scientist at its China R&D site after an internal investigation found that data in a research paper was misrepresented and should be retracted.

 GSK fires scientist for fraudulent data in published study; retraction underway

GSK said its internal inquiry was sparked after it it "recently became aware of allegations of misrepresentation of data" in the research paper written by scientists as its China research center.

GSK launches investigation of allegedly false data from China R&D staffers

GlaxoSmithKline has placed at least one employee from GSK's Shanghai, China lab on temporary leave during the investigation, according to Pharmalot.

Restrictions on GSK diabetes drug Avandia should be modified, FDA panel says

An FDA advisory panel recommends modifying restrictions on GlaxoSmithKline diabetes drug Avandia. Learn what happens next.

GSK buys arthritis/multiple sclerosis candidate for $577M

Glaxo acquires the rights to a German-based company's drug that is under clinical trial as a treatment for arthritis and multiple sclerosis. In other news, GSK reports the use of a breast cancer drug fails in a clinical trial as a treatment for gastic cancer.

After Duke study, FDA to reconsider GSK diabetes drug Avandia

The former blockbuster diabetes pill which was subjected to major safety restrictions in 2010 may not be as dangerous as once thought, according to the latest analysis of the much-debated GlaxoSmithKline drug.

 GSK kidney cancer drug shows promise against ovarian cancer

Disease progression was delayed for a median of 17.9 months among patients taking Votrient, compared with 12.3 months among those on placebo, according to the study of 940 patients with advanced ovarian, fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancer, GSK says.

FDA approves two GSK melanoma drugs and bioMerieux companion genetic test

In gaining regulatory approval on Tafinlar and Mekinist, GSK also gets steps into the arena for personalized medince skin cancer therapies, territory already staked out by Roche. Like Roche's Zelboraf, GSK's two new skin cancer drugs will be administered only to patients that have a particular gene mutation showing that the drug will work for them.

GSK buys Swiss vaccine developer for $324M

"This is a fantastic opportunity for patients and our research organisation as it is expected to contribute to the development efforts for an exciting new generation of vaccines, building on the excellent science and expertise of both companies," president of GSK Vaccines says.

GSK wins up to $200M in contract with US for biothreat research

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded GlaxoSmithKline a contract worth as much as $200 million for research into antibiotics to counter bioterror and other threats.

GSK believes cutting prices will drive growth in emerging markets

"Price reductions are in many ways very important in driving the access and take-up of health-care coverage," Chief Financial Officer Simon Dingemans says. "We see very good volume response to that, which shows the strategy is working."

 Elan to pay $1B for a share of Theravance's royalties from GSK

Elan will receive 21 percent of the royalties earned by Theravance from GlaxoSmithKline on the four respiratory medicines, and 20 percent of that income stream will be paid to Elan shareholders as a dividend.

 FDA approves new once-a-day inhaler from GSK

GSK and its partner Theravance receive approval of their once-daily Breo Ellipta for a lung disorder that is the third-leading cause of death in the nation.

 GSK, Merck slash cost of cervical cancer vaccine 95% for use in poorest countries

Two drug giants with substantial operations in North Carolina are drastically cutting the costs of their cervical cancer vaccines as part of the first large-scale effort to get the shots to girls in the world's poorest areas.

 GSK terminates Parkinson's disease treatment partnership

GSK has ended a partnership with Impax Pharmaceuticals that is developing a treatment for Parkinson's disease. Delays in regulatory approval and launch dates triggered the decision, GSK says.

 GSK drug partner Theravance to split into two ventures

Theravance formed a partnership with Glaxo a decade ago to develop respiratory treatments. Glaxo is the largest Theravance stakeholder with 27 percent of the company's shares.

 GSK's CEO: More changes coming; 50 brands to be sold?

Andrew Witty says Glaxo will sell off two popular nutritional drinks and reorganize how 50 major products are managed in order to drive more efficiency as the company continues to revamp its structure.

 GSK CEO: More changes, reorganization coming; 50 brands to be sold?

Drug giant GlaxoSmithKline will create a "distinct team" to oversee 50 "established products" and formally decides to sell off two nutritional drinks under CEO Andrew Witty's strategy that is revamping the company.

Andrew Witty

 GSK bypasses RTP, picks San Diego for $475M investments in drug startups

Imagine the incredible boost that $465 million in venture capital investment would do for Research Triangle Park's life science industry. Well, just imagine it because GlaxSmithKline, which operates its North American headquarters in RTP, is taking its investment deal to San Diego.

GSK's R&D facility in RTP

 Google to invest $600M in NC data facility

Google plans to double its original investment in a huge data center in Lenoir to $1.2 billion, the company said Friday. However, Google won't disclose how many new jobs it might create.