08.06.09
United Kingdom
www.gsk.com
Sales: $2.2 billion
Key Personnel: Andrew Witty, chief executive officer; Simon Bicknell, senior vice president, company secretary and compliance officer; John Clarke, president, consumer healthcare; Moncef Slaoui, chairman, research and development.
Major Products: Oral care products (toothpastes, toothbrushes, dry mouth, denture care products) sold under brand names of Aquafresh, Sensodyne, Biotene (acquisition), Polident, PoliGrip, Corega, Odol, Macleans and Dr. Best.
Comments: With corporate revenues of $45.2 billion, sales of GlaxoSmithKline’s oral healthcare products rose 6% to $2.2 billion. There were strong performances from Sensodyne (up 12% to $673 million) and Aquafresh (up 3% to $838 million). According to GSK, Sensodyne’s growth represented 35% of world toothpaste growth in 2008 in markets where the company competes.
Via its acquisition of Stiefel, the new Impruv skin care line is part of GSK’s personal care stable. |
“The acquisition of Biotene extends our portfolio in therapeutic oral healthcare to include a proven treatment for dry mouth,” John Clarke, president, GSK Consumer Healthcare, said when the deal was announced. “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.”
Oral care may be GSK’s main focus in personal care, however the pharma giant expanded its dermatological and skin care expertise this year by acquiring Stiefel, one of the world’s largest independent dermatology companies. While Stiefel’s business is centered on prescription treatments for acne and other conditions, it offers non-doctor dispensed brands too, such as Impruv, a new line of dry skin products launched in March. Stiefel also touts Revaléskin skin care products, which are available through aesthetic physicians.