Glaxo plans links in US

GLAXO is understood to be considering links with a number of American groups to tackle the increasingly competitive US market, writes Gail Counsell.

It is believed to have talked to several US companies, including Pfizer and Bristol-Myers Squibb, about the possibility of a combined approach to the giant American market.

However, Glaxo has no plans to form any global alliances. A spokesman yesterday dismissed as 'pure speculation' any idea of a worldwide move and pointed out that all drug companies in the US were talking to each other about synergistic links.

Glaxo's interim results are due on Thursday.

Analysts expect a strong profit performance, with pre-tax profits in the six months to December likely to rise by about 15 per cent to pounds 950m.