(Bloomberg Businessweek) -- When Emma Walmsley hired a new head of R&D in late 2017, she gave him three priorities: “The pipeline, the pipeline, and the pipeline.” As CEO, she’s narrowed the company’s focus to potential blockbuster drugs, culling at least 100 experimental medicines from its roster. Meanwhile, Glaxo in the last year doubled the number of cancer therapies it has under development; three could hit the market in 2020. Walmsley also completed a deal in August to form a joint venture with Pfizer Inc. that will split off Glaxo’s consumer-health business, further strengthening its focus on pharmaceuticals. Her strategic redesign attracted the attention of Microsoft Corp., which is preparing to add her to its board.
To contact the author of this story: James Paton in London at jpaton4@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Bret Begun at bbegun@bloomberg.net, Jeremy Keehn
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