At a presentation to investors in New York today, Glaxo Smith Kline described a deep portfolio of innovation, focused across six core areas of scientific research and development: HIV & Infectious diseases, Oncology, Immuno-Inflammation, Vaccines, Respiratory and Rare Diseases. About 40 new potential medicines and vaccines were profiled at the event, focused on investors in the company.

The portfolio represents some of the latest scientific achievements from GSK’s R&D organization and its more than 1,500 company and academic collaborations. The company believes approximately 80% of the medicines and vaccines presented have the potential to be “first-in-class” with novel mechanisms of action. As a result, many of these potential medicines and vaccines may offer benefits beyond current standards of care and, in some cases, could radically transform how patients are treated.

“The level of innovation in this portfolio is substantial. We believe this is critical in today’s operating environment as payors look to balance pressures of pricing and demand,” said Sir Andrew Witty, CEO of GSK, in a statement. “It also provides us with confidence that this portfolio can generate significant value for shareholders and deliver widespread benefits to patients and consumers.”

In developing this portfolio, the company’s scientists have focused on:

  • Targeting immune mechanisms that could alter the fundamental course of diseases, modifying disease progression and presenting opportunities to achieve remission and functional cures.
  • Developing simplified treatment regimens and a new generation of long-acting medicines to provide long-term control and improve treatment outcomes for patients.
  • Using next generation technology platforms to increase understanding of fundamental disease mechanisms, to develop new approaches to disease management and control.

At the event, notable advances within the portfolio were outlined, including potential:

  • Leading-edge molecules in the field of epigenetics and immuno-oncology for the treatment of cancer;
  • The next generation of respiratory medicines beyond inhaled treatments;
  • A portfolio of new antibodies for inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune diseases and osteoarthritis;
  • New options for long-term control and prevention of HIV;
  • Opportunities designed to cure or induce long-term remission in both Hepatitis B and C;
  • Breakthrough cell and gene therapies for treatment of rare diseases;
  • A novel maternal immunization platform for vaccines.

GSK also profiled a number of significant material opportunities in late-stage development, including: Nucala (mepolizumab)* for treatment of severe eosinophilic asthma, Shingrix (zoster)*, a candidate vaccine for the prevention of shingles, sirukumab for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, daprodustat for anaemia, cabotegravir for HIV, a candidate combination vaccine for the prevention of bacterial meningitis and a new inhaled triple therapy for treatment of COPD.

According to company statements, GSK has the potential to file up to 20 assets with regulators before 2020. Seven of these assets are in advanced late-stage development (with the potential to launch before 2020) with the remainder, being in earlier development, notably in the areas of oncology, immuno-inflammation and respiratory disease. In 2016/2017 GSK has the potential to start phase II development of ~30 new molecular entities (NMEs) and product line extensions (PLEs) and to start phase III development of ~20 NMEs and PLEs.

During the period 2021-2025, GSK has the potential to file up to 20 additional innovative assets, now in clinical development.

“Today, we have profiled around 40 innovative potential new medicines and vaccines which will support future growth in our Pharmaceuticals and Vaccines businesses,” said Witty. “Several of these assets are in advanced late-stage development and, for the first time, we have also outlined the scale of new opportunities GSK has in earlier stages of development, notably in areas such as oncology and immuno-inflammation.”

The company has published on its website a full statement about their portfolio and an updated pipeline chart, which details more than 90 clinical research projects that GSK is conducting.