GlaxoSmithKline is reportedly eyeing the vaccines division of India's Biological E. Already a leading vaccines supplier in India, GSK would gain greater manufacturing capacity in a BE vaccines buyout, allowing it to boost share on the subcontinent and export greater quantities to international markets, the Economic Times reports.
Officials from GSK's Belgium-based biologicals business recently visited Biological E's manufacturing facility in Shameerpet, India, near Hyderabad, sources told the newspaper. GSK's current plant in Nashik, India, has recently faced difficulties supplying enough vaccines for export, a pharma analyst told the Times. The company has expressed interest in buying vaccine makers with plants approved by international regulators, the analyst said. GSK itself did not comment.
Among Biological E's key products are diphtheria and tetanus vaccines, which have helped the homegrown company capture a "significant share" of the domestic vaccines market. It has some experience working with GSK, Deal Curry reports; Biological E partnered with GSK's Indian unit in developing its pharma business.
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