GSK Pharma to launch vaccine, cancer drugs in 2011

Drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals plans to launch pneumonia vaccine Synflorix and at least two oncology drugs in 2011 as part of its strategy to drive sales in India, a top official said.

"The two oncology drugs, Revolade and Votrient, would be launched by end of first quarter or early second quarter," Mehernosh Kapadia, senior executive director, told Reuters in a telephone interview late on Monday. "We also plan to introduce a couple of branded generics in cardio-vascular, metabolic diseases and high-end antibiotic segments, which will drive the growth in the current year." The Mumbai-based firm follows January-December fiscal and on Monday reported an 11.5% rise in December quarter net profit to Rs 1.16 billion on net sales of Rs 4.91 billion.