Menu About us Our history GSK today: 2000 – present GSK today: 2000 – present With the merger of SmithKline Beecham and GlaxoWellcome in 2000, GSK was formed. Now we are a science-led global healthcare company with around 100,000 employees worldwide. We aim to bring differentiated, high-quality and needed healthcare products to as many people as possible with our three global businesses of Pharmaceuticals, Vaccines and Consumer Healthcare. Construction of GSK House, London, UK, 2000 Becoming GSK The turn of the millennium began a pivotal year in our company history; SmithKline Beecham plc and GlaxoWellcome plc merged, forming the present company GlaxoSmithKline plc, known as GSK. A year later, we acquired US-based Block Drug Co. (the company which formed from Alexander Block's US drugstore), adding to our portfolio a wider range of consumer products, including Sensodyne toothpaste. In 2009, we acquired Stiefel Laboratories, which was then the world’s largest independent dermatology drug company, enabling us to become a leader in skincare. Inhaler innovation More than 200 scientists and engineers were involved in the research, design and manufacture of our dry powder inhaler, Ellipta®, launched in 2013, which allows up to three medicines to be taken via one inhaler. The way we design and carry out clinical trials fundamentally changed with the Salford Lung Study which enabled us to understand the value of medicines when used by patients in their normal daily lives. Novartis transaction In March 2015, we completed a transaction with Novartis to acquire their vaccines business (excluding influenza vaccines), strengthening our position as the world’s leading vaccine manufacturer. We also combined our Consumer Healthcare business with theirs to create a new joint venture Consumer Healthcare company. We sold our marketed Oncology portfolio to Novartis, keeping early stage Oncology research within GSK. This asset swap enabled both companies to build on their existing strengths while creating value for our assets. RSS Other GSK websites Market website selector GSKPro for healthcare professionals GSK Study Register Quick links COVID-19 response Behind the science About us Products Careers Investors Media Research and development Responsibility Accessibility/legal Accessibility Terms of use Cookie policy Privacy notice Modern Slavery Act statement 2020 PDF - 191.4KB Sitemap Contact us Contact us Partnerships Report a possible side effect Business to business Supplier website Business to business This is our global website, intended for visitors seeking information on GSK’s worldwide business. Our market sites can be reached by visiting our market selector. © 2001-2021 GlaxoSmithKline plc. All rights reserved. Trade marks are owned by or licensed to the GSK group of companies. GlaxoSmithKline plc. Registered in England and Wales No. 3888792. Registered office: 980 Great West Road, Brentford, Middlesex, TW8 9GS, United Kingdom. We use cookies GSK values your privacy and your trust is important to us. We use cookies to enhance your website experience. Some cookies are necessary to run the website. Others are optional: performance cookies show us how you use our website and features; functional cookies remember your preferences; and advertising cookies help us share relevant content.Cookie Policy Show detail ❮ OPT OUT ACCEPT ALL