there seems to be some heavy resistance around these level with a lot of potential upside.

I have been puzzled why if the cost of a single coarse of Relenza is far cheaper than a single coarse of Tamiflu as to why Tamiflu appears to be the drug of choice. Also according to an article in the Lancett, Tamiflu has more side effects than Relenza. The following article goes some way to an explanation although with cost tending to be the main driving factor behind most drugs prescribed or/and recommended by Governments, I do feel I am still missing something.

I appreciate the article is a couple of months old.

Is Tamiflu 'better' than Relenza?
Posted in BCP Confidential by Nathaniel Forbes on 2009/05/12 17:04:46

I can find no clinical evidence that Roche's Tamiflu is more effective than GlaxoSmithKline's less-prescribed Relenza against Type A influenza like H1N1 and H5N1.
Japanese health inspector in goggles, mask, gloves and gown interviews passengers on a flight arriving in Tokyo from the U.S. on May 2, 2009

I have found abundant evidence, however, that Switzerland-based Roche has run marketing circles around U.K.-based GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) by emphasizing the convenience of swallowing a Tamiflu capsule over the hassle of inhaling Relenza powder.

That's the only reason I can imagine why a dose of Tamiflu is two to three times as expensive as a dose of Relenza. A dose of 75mg Tamiflu costs US$5 to US$10 at Internet pharmacies, but a dose of 5mg Relenza costs only US$2.50 to US$3.50. Both require prescriptions.

See link for full article

http://www.zdnetasia.com/blogs/bcp/0,3800011228,63010743,00.htm

Second quarter results from the drug giant GlaxoSmithKline are due Wednesday. Charles Stanley is looking for a 14% increase in year on year sales to 6.7bn. By contrast, operating margins are likely to be adversely impacted by the significant off-patent pressure over 2008 caused by the loss of Lamictal, Imitrex, Wellbutrin XL and Paxil CR as well as the ongoing pressure on former blockbuster diabetes product Avandia, the broker says.

Aside from the figures, analysts will be keen to see if the firm has anything to say about the H1N1 Virus outbreak. In a recent note on the company, Panmure Gordon said: GSK should benefit from the situation medium term, and it is worth noting that GSK received an order from the US government totalling US$71m for its adjuvant technology, which should provide upside to forecasts beyond any specific H1N1 vaccine the company manufactures.

Greek I'm confused as to why Astra has been out-performing Glax when it has no swine flu drugs and supposedly a more limited pipeline. Looking for a Astra shorting opportunity for hedging

Glaxosmithkline is in line to receive a 1.3bn sales injection from the global swine flu pandemic as concerns about the virus rise.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/pharmaceuticalsandchemicals/5858430/GSK-in-line-for-1.3bn-swine-flu-booster.html

Falcothou,

My only thought is that due to Glaxo's sp going nowhere over the last few years, it has effected how punters look at the company, IE confidence is lacking on the SP's reliability to hold it's value.
I feel that due to their future prospects with the new direction and dividend they are a good couple of below value.

Kimoldfield,

Read the Telegraph article, and it does look very promising, especially the mention of probable Relenza sales as well as the prospects for their vaccine.

Greek.

Oh well - at least its a step in the right direction!

GlaxoSmithKline Expects Further Swine Flue Vaccine Orders





LONDON -(Dow Jones)- GlaxoSmithKline PLC (GSK.LN) Wednesday said it will start shipping a new vaccine for H1N1 pandemic flu, dubbed swine flu, by September, and expects further significant orders.

GlaxoSmithKline said Wednesday it has orders for 195 million doses of the vaccine from governments, and is in talks with another 50.

Chief Executive Andrew Witty told reporters Wednesday the drug maker believes it will be able to make enough of the vaccine, and its existing antiviral Relenza, to satisfy current levels of demand.

"I expect further significant orders," said Witty.

Company Web site: www.gsk.com

But will the vaccine produced by GSK work as the H1N1 virus must be mutating!
For months now the graphics of the bug, shown on our TV screens have always been blue, but for a few days now they consistently change to red.
Presumably the WHO have noticed, although I could never understand what a 1964
pop group has to do with Swine flu.

Now who said, Tamiflu doesn't have side effects. Next time I will try Relenza.

I wonder which of these Sarkozy is on re. fainting. I favour the latter
Medications that can cause low blood pressure
Some medications you may take can also cause low blood pressure, including:

Diuretics (water pills)
Alpha blockers
Beta blockers
Drugs for Parkinson's disease
Certain types of antidepressants (tricyclic antidepressants)
Sildenafil (Viagra), particularly in combination with another heart medication, nitroglycerine

No wonder the public feel mislead.

Government virus expert paid 116k by Tamiflu vaccine makers
By David Derbyshire
Last updated at 1:24 AM on 27th July 2009

Sir Roy, 61, who was unavailable for comment yesterday, earned 116,000 at GSK last year, at least a quarter of which he received in shares.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1202389/Government-virus-expert-paid-116k-Tamiflu-vaccine-makers.html

Well done...The Daily Mail

Greek, nothing surprises me anymore! The Government would have been aware of this; I wonder how many GSK shares GB & AD etc have?!

But that would be hinting that like most other politicians they are corrupt, and we can't have that can we.

Not at all! ;o)

Another collaboration deal.

Amgen and GlaxoSmithKline to collaborate on Denosumab for postmenopausal osteoporosis
28. July 2009 01:56

Amgen and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) today announced a collaboration in which the companies will share commercialization of Amgen's monoclonal antibody denosumab for postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Mexico once the product is approved in these countries.

http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090728/Amgen-and-GlaxoSmithKline-to-collaborate-on-Denosumab-for-postmenopausal-osteoporosis.aspx

RNS.

Re Vaccine order increase.

This now brings the total number of doses ordered for GSK's adjuvanted vaccine to 291 million. Discussions continue with governments for further supplies of the vaccine.

GSK's proposed donation of 50 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine to the WHO.

The 50 million doses is further good PR for GSK following Witty's formula.

A few more figures.

Figures in the media are now predicting a boost to GSK of 1.8 billion, with up to 3 billion if further orders flow in from those counties who have not yet signed deals with vaccine producing companies.

This month Glaxo are to start clinical trials, with the first supplies set for delivery in September.

It is the clinical trial bit that will hold the sp back for a while, but Glaxo appear to have the lead, in supply contracts.

I think the strengthening cable isn't helping either, some anticipating 1.75,almost worth hedging with a long cable position!

Finally a close above 12.

I think glaxo is one of the few equities that deserve to be going up roll on 50 what it would be valued at if in a different sector

LONDON (SHARECAST) - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new guidelines for the use of antivirals in the treatment of flu on Tuesday, which should boost revenues drugs giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) receives from its Relenza flu treatment.

Broker Panmure Gordon is forecasting Relenza revenues of 700m for 2009, and expects this figure to rise to 1bn in 2010 before sliding back towards 250m per annum from 2011 onwards.

http://www.sharecast.com/cgi-bin/sharecast/story.cgi?story_id=2995520