GLAXO/TANABE JOINT VENTURE WILL BEGIN CEPHALOSPORIN CLINICAL TRIALS

Executive Summary

GLAXO/TANABE JOINT VENTURE WILL BEGIN CEPHALOSPORIN CLINICAL TRIALS later this year on a new generation injectable product, Glaxo announced in a recent press release. The drug, for which trials are to be conducted in several countries, is for hospital use in the treatment of life-threatening infections. Glaxco said the companies, who announced the establishment of a joint venture on May 13, expect to win marketing approval in approximately two and a half years for the new cephalosporin, named TA 5901. The joint venture agreement is for the development and commercialization of the cephalosporin outside of Japan, and includes the U.S. market. Each company will have a 50% share in the new unit, Tanabe Glaxo. According to the press release, the drug will be marketed in Japan by Tanabe and Nippon Glaxo. The two companies originally announced their basic intent to cooperate over the compound in Oct. 1984. According to Glaxo, the clinical development work will be undertaken by Glaxo Group Research in association with Tanabe, and the basic manufacture will be undertaken by Glaxo Chem. Ltd. in the U.K.