GlaxoSmithKline joins trust to improve R&D efficiency

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has announced it is to form a trust of external experts in an effort to improve its research and development (R&D) processes.

The vast majority of new drugs never make it to market as a result of failures during development or clinical testing, but GSK said it believes many have little chance of success from the outset as a result of poor understanding of the biological causes of certain diseases.

In an effort to improve its R&D, the pharmaceutical giant is to join forces with the European Bioinformatics Institute and the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute to launch the collaborative Centre for Therapeutic Target Validation (CCTV).

At the outset, CCTV will comprise 50 scientists from across the three organisations, with experts in genomics, proteomics, chemistry and biology aiming to better map out the roots of certain diseases.

While GSK has been reticent to disclose the extent of its commitment to the trust, it described its involvement as a "multimillion-pound contribution".