The Beecham Group plc is one of the oldest and most well-known pharmaceutical companies in the UK, which existed from 1859 to 1989 and was included in the FTSE 100 index . After several successful mergers, Beecham is now called GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). GSK continues to use the Beechams brand name for its over-the-counter cold and flu medications. [one]
| Beecham | |
|---|---|
| Base | 1859 |
| Abolished | 1989 |
| Reason for Abolition | Merger with SmithKline Beckman |
| Successor | SmithKline Beecham (currently GlaxoSmithKline ) |
| Location | London, Great Britain |
| Industry | Pharmaceuticals |
| Products | Prescription and over-the-counter medicines, consumer health products, vaccines. |
Content
History
The company began as a small family business, founded by the chemist Thomas Beecham (1820-1907), the grandfather of the famous conductor Thomas Beecham .
The first successful product in 1842 was Beecham's Pills (laxative). [2] Successful sales of the drug made it possible to open a pharmaceutical store in Wigan in 1847. [3]
In 1859, Thomas Beecham decided to open his own drug factory. This year is considered the date of foundation of Beecham. [2] Under the leadership of his son, Joseph Beecham (1848–1916), the company continues to develop successfully and begins to engage in research activities in addition to producing drugs.
In 1924, Philip Hill, businessman who made a fortune in real estate, became the head of the company. [4] Under his leadership, Beechem acquires several other companies to expand its product range and marketing infrastructure. So Lucozade glucose drink and Macleans toothpaste were bought. In 1938, its own fortified drink from Ribena blackcurrant was produced . [5] In the same year 1938, a company was bought out that produced the Eno remedy for heartburn, which at that time already had good indicators in the international market. [4] [6] In the next 1939, Brylcreem, a hair care product for men, was bought. [2]
In 1943, recognizing the need to focus on research and new developments, the Beecham laboratory was created. [2] Two years later, in 1945, the company changed its name to Beecham Group Ltd. [2]
In the 1950s and 1960s, the company, in collaboration with Bristol-Myers , developed penicillin derivatives: first phenecitillin and then more potent methicillin (Celbenin). Later, ampicillin , cloxacillin and other penicillin-based drugs were added to the developments.
In 1953, CLBencard, a specialist in allergy vaccines, was bought. [2]
In 1959, the Beecham research laboratory gained worldwide fame as scientists managed to isolate the core of penicillin 6-APA (6-aminopenicillanic acid); [7] This discovery made it possible to synthesize a number of new semisynthetic penicillins. Beecham launches Broxil (phenethicillin), and soon Celbenin ( methicillin ), which is highly active against Staphylococcus aureus , begins production.
In 1961, the company launched Penbritin (ampicillin), which is in great demand and this gives a new powerful impetus to the development of the company. In Worthing , a new research and production complex is emerging on an area of 35 acres (140,000 meters / 2) for the production of ampicillin, phenethicillin and other semi-synthetic penicillins.
In 1971, SE Massengill was bought.
In 1972, Beecham launched the sale of Amoxil ( Amoxicillin ), which is still one of the most common antibiotics. [2]
In 1973, Aquafresh toothpaste (Aquafresh) entered the market.
In 1977, the brand Sucrets ( Diclonin ), known for its anesthetics, was acquired.
In 1981, the company develops and markets a new, anti-beta-lactamase, Augmentin antibiotic (Augmentin) containing amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. [2]
In 1982, Aqua Velva and Geritol brands were acquired.
In 1986, the Beecham group sells its many brands of soft drinks, including [Tango (drink) | Tango], Top Deck , Corona , Quosh, as well as British franchises for drinks Pepsi and 7 Up , [Britvic]]. [8] In the same year, Norcliff Thayer was acquired from Revlon .
In 1989, a merger with GlaxoSmithKline and SmithKline Beecham plc . [2] [9]
After 11 years, in 2000 a decision was made to merge with GlaxoWellcome and after the merger, the company began to be called GlaxoSmithKline . [ten]
Beechams History , 1848–2000: From Pills to Pharmaceuticals , published by Thomas Anthony Buchanan Corley, published in 2011.
Company Products
Consumer Products
- Aquafresh
- Beecham's pills
- Beecham's Powders [11]
- Brylcreem
- Eno
- Horlicks
- Lucozade
- Ribena
- Macleans
Pharmaceuticals
- Amoxil ( Amoxicillin )
- Augmentin ( Augmentin )
- Avandia ( rosiglitazone )
- Bactroban ( Mupirocin )
- Broxil ( Phenicitillin )
- Celbenin ( Methicillin )
- Clavulanic acid
- Eminase ( anistreplase )
- Engerix-B ( hepatitis B vaccine )
- Floxapen ( flucloxacillin )
- granisetron
- Havrix ( hepatitis A vaccine )
- Orbenin ( cloxacillin )
- Paxil ( paroxetine )
- Penbritin ( Ampicillin )
- Pollinex (extract of ragweed pollen)
- Pyopen ( carbenicillin )
- Relifex ( nabumetone )
- Temopen ( temocillin )
- Ticarpen ( ticarcillin )
- Timentin ( ticarcillin / clavulanate )
Notes
- ↑ Get powerful relief from cold & flu symptoms with Beechams . beechams.co.uk . Date of treatment May 7, 2012.
- ↑ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Our history - GSK . Date of treatment November 19, 2016.
- ↑ Thomas Beecham at Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
- ↑ 1 2 Tedlow, Richard S. The Rise and Fall of Mass Marketing (RLE Marketing) Volume 25 of Routledge Library Editions: Marketing / Richard S. Tedlow, Geoffrey G. Jones. - Routledge, 2014 .-- P. 110-111. - ISBN 9781317663010 .
- ↑ "SmithKline Beecham: History" Archived July 20, 2013. , History of Advertising Trust
- ↑ Wilkins, Mira. The history of foreign investment in the United States, 1914-1945. - Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press, 2004 .-- ISBN 9780674045187 .
- ↑ Synthesis of Penicillin: 6-Aminopenicillanic Acid in Penicillin Fermentations FR Batchelor, FP Doyle, JHC Nayler & GN Rolinson
- ↑ Carbonated drinks: a report on the supply by manufacturers of carbonated drinks in the United Kingdom, Chapter 8 para 8.51 Archived July 29, 2008.
- ↑ Profile: SmithKline Beecham , BBC (December 18, 2000).
- ↑ The Glaxo SmithKline merger , BBC News (January 17, 2000).
- ↑ Beechams Powders - Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) - (eMC) . Date of treatment November 19, 2016.