- Move strengthens therapeutic oral healthcare portfolio -
LONDON, Oct. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK)
Consumer Healthcare announced today that it has reached an agreement with
Laclede, a privately held company, to purchase the leading Dry Mouth brand
Biotene(R) for $170 million. The transaction is subject to regulatory
review by competition authorities in the United States and Europe, and is
expected to complete by early 2009.
"The acquisition of Biotene extends our portfolio in therapeutic oral
healthcare to include a proven treatment for Dry Mouth," said John Clarke,
President, GSK Consumer Healthcare. "This opportunity leverages our global
capability with dental and medical professionals and is a further step
towards our goal in GSK of building and growing a diversified healthcare
business."
Biotene is the world's number one dentist and hygienist-recommended Dry
Mouth product for the growing population that suffers from this condition.
Biotene is a brand in strong growth, with global sales in 2007 of around
$50 million up 17%. Approximately 65% of the brand's current sales are in
the United States.
Dry Mouth, a condition known as Xerostomia, is a significant health
issue associated with chronic medical conditions that include diabetes,
rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome and Parkinson's disease.
Additionally, cancer chemotherapy or radiation treatment, as well as any of
more than 400 medications that, as a side-effect, can cause Dry Mouth.
Globally, Dry Mouth is as prevalent as dental sensitivity, affecting around
one-in-five adults.
Biotene joins a world-class portfolio of Oral Healthcare Brands,
including:
-- Aquafresh(R), Odol-med(R), Binaca(R), a leading range of toothpastes,
toothbrushes, mouthwashes and whitening products
-- Corsodyl(R), Chlorhexamed(R) gingivitis treatment
-- Paradontax, a toothpaste for healthy gums
-- Polident(R), Corega(R), a range of denture cleansers
-- PoliGrip(R), Corega(R), a range of denture adhesives
-- Sensodyne(R), the leading toothpaste to treat dental hyper-sensitivity
How Biotene works
Biotene is a proprietary system founded on three enzymes: glucose
oxidase, lactoperoxidase and lysozme, each found in healthy saliva. The
augmentation of these enzymes through the introduction of Biotene into an
oral healthcare regimen aids the symptomatic relief of Dry Mouth. The
Biotene range includes mouthwash, toothpaste, gel, spray and gum
formulations for convenient, effective relief. New innovation in 2008 added
additional enzymes that attack and breakdown plaque biofilm.
GlaxoSmithKline -- one of the world's leading research-based
pharmaceutical and healthcare companies -- is committed to improving the
quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live
longer. For further information please visit http://www.gsk.com.
Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements
Under the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995, GSK cautions investors that any
forward-looking statements or projections made by GSK, including those made
in this announcement, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause
actual results to differ materially from those projected. Factors that may
affect GSK' s operations are described under 'Risk Factors' in the
'Business Review' in the company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for 2007.
SOURCE GlaxoSmithKline
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