Regulatory update - GSK and Valeant receive positive opinion in Europe from the CHMP for Trobalt (retigabine)

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (NYSE & TSX: VRX) announced today that the European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has issued a positive opinion, recommending marketing authorisation for Trobalt (retigabine) as an adjunctive (add-on) treatment of partial onset seizures (a form of epilepsy where a seizure begins in a specific area in one side of the brain), with or without secondary generalisation in adults aged 18 years and above with epilepsy.

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (NYSE & TSX: VRX) announced today that the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has issued a positive opinion, recommending marketing authorisation for Trobalt(retigabine) as an adjunctive (add-on) treatment of partial onset seizures (a form of epilepsy where a seizure begins in a specific area in one side of the brain), with or without secondary generalisation in adults aged 18 years and above with epilepsy.

Retigabine received a preliminary approval from the Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products, Swissmedic, in December 2010.

Retigabine, referred to as ezogabine in the US, is being jointly developed by GSK and Valeant.

GlaxoSmithKline – one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For further information please visit www.gsk.com.

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (NYSE/TSX: VRX) - is a multinational specialty pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of pharmaceutical products primarily in the areas of neurology, dermatology and branded generics. More information about Valeant can be found at www.valeant.com.

 

GlaxoSmithKline Enquiries:

 

 

UK Media enquiries:

David Mawdsley

(020) 8047 5502

 

Claire Brough

(020) 8047 5502

 

Stephen Rea

(020) 8047 5502

 

Alexandra Harrison

(020) 8047 5502

 

 

 

US Media enquiries:

Nancy Pekarek

(919) 483 2839

 

Mary Anne Rhyne

(919) 483 2839

 

Kevin Colgan

(919) 483 2839

 

Jennifer Armstrong

(919) 483 2839

 

 

 

European Analyst/Investor enquiries:

Sally Ferguson

(020) 8047 5543

 

Gary Davies

(020) 8047 5503

 

Ziba Shamsi

(020) 8047 3289

 

 

 

US Analyst/ Investor enquiries:

Tom Curry

(215) 751 5419

 

Valeant Enquiries:

Laurie W. Little

(949) 461 6002

 

GlaxoSmithKline cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements
Under the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, GSK cautions investors that any forward-looking statements or projections made by GSK, including those made in this announcement, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Factors that may affect GSK' s operations are described under 'Risk Factors' in the 'Business Review' in the company' s Annual Report on Form 20-F for 2009.

Valeant Pharmaceuticals Forward-Looking Statement This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the development or approval of ezogabine. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of the words "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "should," "could," "would," "may," "will," "believes," "estimates," "potential," or "continue" and variations or similar expressions. These statements are based upon the current expectations and beliefs of management and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties discussed in the company's most recent annual or quarterly report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the SEC and the Canadian Securities Administrators ("CSA"), which factors are incorporated herein by reference. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements. Valeant undertakes no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect actual outcomes.

*Editor's note: Ezogabine is the non-proprietary name adopted by the United States Adopted Name Council for use in the U.S. and Canada. Retigabine is the non-proprietary name adopted by the International Nonproprietary Name for Pharmaceuticals Substances Program for use in the rest of the world.