GSK bets on the genomic route to drug safety

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), the world's biggest pharmaceutical company, is planning to search the entire human genome for a genetic signature of intolerance to one of its drugs. It's the first time anyone has undertaken such a task, and will cost the company tens of millions of dollars. But if GSK is right, it will save them much more by virtually eliminating adverse reactions. Observers at an IBC conference on Pharmacogenomics, SNPs and Genetic Patenting in San Diego, California, US [February 2001], where the news emerged, commented that if the study succeeds, other companies will have to follow.