.gif)
Beecham (pharmaceutical company)
Encyclopedia
Beecham was a British pharmaceutical company. It was once a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index
. Beecham, after having merged with SmithKline Beckman, merged with GlaxoWellcome to become GlaxoSmithKline
(GSK).
(1820–1907), a chemist. He was the grandfather of the conductor also named Thomas Beecham
(1879–1961). As a boy, he worked as a shepherd
, selling herbal remedies as a sideline. He then started as a travelling salesman or peddler
.
Their first product was Beecham's Pills
, a laxative
, in 1842. Subsequent success enabled him to open a shop in Wigan
in 1847.
Beecham opened its first factory in St. Helens, Lancashire
, for the rapid production of medicines in 1859. Under Thomas' son, Sir Joseph Beecham, 1st Baronet
(1848–1916), the business expanded, but remained a patent medicine company and engaged in little research.
Beecham bought companies for various products, adding the Lucozade
glucose drink and Macleans to its product chain in 1938. By buying Brylcreem
the following year, it added hair products for men.
In 1943, it decided to focus more on improving its research and built Beecham Research Laboratories. In 1945, the company was named Beecham Group Ltd.
In 1945, Beecham Research Laboratories Ltd. operated from Brockham
Park, Surrey
.
In the 1950s to 1960s, Beecham, in consort with Bristol-Myers, developed penicillin
derivatives: first pheneticillin
, then the more potent meticillin (Celbenin). Later, these were followed by Ampiclox and others, as the group focused on pharmaceutical development.
In 1953, it bought C.L. Bencard, which specialized in allergy vaccines.
In 1959, Brockham Park became famous when Beecham scientists there discovered the penicillin nucleus, 6-APA
(6-aminopenicillanic acid); this discovery allowed the synthesis of a number of new semisynthetic penicillins. In 1959, Beecham marketed Broxil (pheneticillin
), followed shortly by Celbenin (meticillin), which is active against Staphylococcus aureus
.
In 1961, Penbritin (ampicillin
) hit the market, and soon Beecham's facilities were inadequate for the worldwide demand. A 35 acres (141,640.1 m²) complex at Worthing
came on line in the early 1960s to produce 6-APA, the base for semisynthetic penicillins.
In 1972, Beecham launched Amoxil (amoxicillin
), which went on to become one of the most widely prescribed antibiotics.
In 1973, the Aquafresh
toothpaste is launched.
In 1981, Augmentin
, an antibiotic used to treat an array of bacterial infections, was introduced.
In 1986, the Beecham Group sold its numerous soft drink brands including Tango
, Top Deck
, Corona
, Quosh, as well as the UK franchises for Pepsi
and 7 Up
, to Britvic
. The same year, Beecham acquired Norcliff Thayer
, the makers of Tums
, Oxy, and Avail.
In 1989, The Beecham Group plc and SmithKline Beckman merged to form SmithKline Beecham plc.
In 2000, SmithKline Beecham and GlaxoWellcome merged to form GlaxoSmithKline
.
A history of the company, Beechams, 1848-2000: From Pills to Pharmaceuticals, written by T.A.B. Corley, was published in 2011.
FTSE 100 Index
The FTSE 100 Index, also called FTSE 100, FTSE, or, informally, the footsie , is a share index of the 100 most highly capitalised UK companies listed on the London Stock Exchange....
. Beecham, after having merged with SmithKline Beckman, merged with GlaxoWellcome to become GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline plc is a global pharmaceutical, biologics, vaccines and consumer healthcare company headquartered in London, United Kingdom...
(GSK).
History
Beecham was the family business of Thomas BeechamThomas Beecham (chemist)
Thomas Beecham was the founder of Beechams, which became one of the United Kingdom's largest pharmaceutical businesses.-Career:...
(1820–1907), a chemist. He was the grandfather of the conductor also named Thomas Beecham
Thomas Beecham
Sir Thomas Beecham, 2nd Baronet CH was an English conductor and impresario best known for his association with the London Philharmonic and the Royal Philharmonic orchestras. He was also closely associated with the Liverpool Philharmonic and Hallé orchestras...
(1879–1961). As a boy, he worked as a shepherd
Shepherd
A shepherd is a person who tends, feeds or guards flocks of sheep.- Origins :Shepherding is one of the oldest occupations, beginning some 6,000 years ago in Asia Minor. Sheep were kept for their milk, meat and especially their wool...
, selling herbal remedies as a sideline. He then started as a travelling salesman or peddler
Peddler
A peddler, in British English pedlar, also known as a canvasser, cheapjack, monger, or solicitor , is a travelling vendor of goods. In England, the term was mostly used for travellers hawking goods in the countryside to small towns and villages; they might also be called tinkers or gypsies...
.
Their first product was Beecham's Pills
Beecham's Pills
Beecham's Pills were a laxative first marketed around 1842 in St Helens, Lancashire. They were invented by Thomas Beecham , grandfather of Thomas Beecham ....
, a laxative
Laxative
Laxatives are foods, compounds, or drugs taken to induce bowel movements or to loosen the stool, most often taken to treat constipation. Certain stimulant, lubricant, and saline laxatives are used to evacuate the colon for rectal and/or bowel examinations, and may be supplemented by enemas under...
, in 1842. Subsequent success enabled him to open a shop in Wigan
Wigan
Wigan is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It stands on the River Douglas, south-west of Bolton, north of Warrington and west-northwest of Manchester. Wigan is the largest settlement in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan and is its administrative centre. The town of Wigan had a total...
in 1847.
Beecham opened its first factory in St. Helens, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, for the rapid production of medicines in 1859. Under Thomas' son, Sir Joseph Beecham, 1st Baronet
Sir Joseph Beecham, 1st Baronet
Sir Joseph Beecham, 1st Baronet , was a British businessman.Beecham was the eldest son of Thomas Beecham and Jane Evans. He played a large part in the growth and expansion of his father's medicinal pill business which he joined in 1866. He was responsible for Beechams' factory and office in...
(1848–1916), the business expanded, but remained a patent medicine company and engaged in little research.
Beecham bought companies for various products, adding the Lucozade
Lucozade
Lucozade is an umbrella name for a 6 series of energy and sports drinks, produced by GlaxoSmithKline in Gloucestershire. The former company became part of Beecham and, after the mergers of SmithKline and Beecham in 2000, GlaxoSmithKline....
glucose drink and Macleans to its product chain in 1938. By buying Brylcreem
Brylcreem
Brylcreem is a brand of hair styling products for men. The first Brylcreem product was a pomade created in 1928 by County Chemicals at the Chemico Works in Bradford Street, Birmingham, England. The pomade is an emulsion of water and mineral oil stabilised with beeswax.Beecham was the longtime...
the following year, it added hair products for men.
In 1943, it decided to focus more on improving its research and built Beecham Research Laboratories. In 1945, the company was named Beecham Group Ltd.
In 1945, Beecham Research Laboratories Ltd. operated from Brockham
Brockham
Brockham is a village in the Mole Valley district of Surrey, England. 'Broc-ham' is so called from the Anglo Saxon meaning 'river meadow by the brook' and is first recorded in 1241. It is often mistakenly believed that there is an association with badgers but this is a modern affectation from the...
Park, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
.
In the 1950s to 1960s, Beecham, in consort with Bristol-Myers, developed penicillin
Penicillin
Penicillin is a group of antibiotics derived from Penicillium fungi. They include penicillin G, procaine penicillin, benzathine penicillin, and penicillin V....
derivatives: first pheneticillin
Pheneticillin
Pheneticillin is a penicillin....
, then the more potent meticillin (Celbenin). Later, these were followed by Ampiclox and others, as the group focused on pharmaceutical development.
In 1953, it bought C.L. Bencard, which specialized in allergy vaccines.
In 1959, Brockham Park became famous when Beecham scientists there discovered the penicillin nucleus, 6-APA
6-APA
6-APA is the chemical compound -6-aminopenicillanic acid.-Use:6-APA is the core of penicillins. It is obtained from the fermentation brew of the Penicillium mold and used as the main starting block for the preparation of numerous semisynthetic penicillins.-Manufacture:This useful compound is made...
(6-aminopenicillanic acid); this discovery allowed the synthesis of a number of new semisynthetic penicillins. In 1959, Beecham marketed Broxil (pheneticillin
Pheneticillin
Pheneticillin is a penicillin....
), followed shortly by Celbenin (meticillin), which is active against Staphylococcus aureus
Staphylococcus aureus
Staphylococcus aureus is a facultative anaerobic Gram-positive coccal bacterium. It is frequently found as part of the normal skin flora on the skin and nasal passages. It is estimated that 20% of the human population are long-term carriers of S. aureus. S. aureus is the most common species of...
.
In 1961, Penbritin (ampicillin
Ampicillin
Ampicillin is a beta-lactam antibiotic that has been used extensively to treat bacterial infections since 1961. Until the introduction of ampicillin by the British company Beecham, penicillin therapies had only been effective against Gram-positive organisms such as staphylococci and streptococci...
) hit the market, and soon Beecham's facilities were inadequate for the worldwide demand. A 35 acres (141,640.1 m²) complex at Worthing
Worthing
Worthing is a large seaside town with borough status in West Sussex, within the historic County of Sussex, forming part of the Brighton/Worthing/Littlehampton conurbation. It is situated at the foot of the South Downs, west of Brighton, and east of the county town of Chichester...
came on line in the early 1960s to produce 6-APA, the base for semisynthetic penicillins.
In 1972, Beecham launched Amoxil (amoxicillin
Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin , formerly amoxycillin , and abbreviated amox, is a moderate-spectrum, bacteriolytic, β-lactam antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections caused by susceptible microorganisms. It is usually the drug of choice within the class because it is better absorbed, following oral...
), which went on to become one of the most widely prescribed antibiotics.
In 1973, the Aquafresh
Aquafresh
Aquafresh is a brand of toothpaste that has been on sale since 1973. It is manufactured by consumer healthcare product maker GlaxoSmithKline...
toothpaste is launched.
In 1981, Augmentin
Co-amoxiclav
Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid or co-amoxiclav is a combination antibiotic consisting of amoxicillin trihydrate, a β-lactam antibiotic, and potassium clavulanate, a β-lactamase inhibitor...
, an antibiotic used to treat an array of bacterial infections, was introduced.
In 1986, the Beecham Group sold its numerous soft drink brands including Tango
Tango (drink)
Tango is a carbonated soft drink sold primarily in the United Kingdom and Ireland and from 2010 in Sweden, Norway and Hungary as well, first launched by Corona in 1950. Corona were bought by the Beecham Group in 1958, and Beecham Soft Drinks were bought by Britvic in 1987...
, Top Deck
Top Deck (drink)
Top Deck was a low alcohol shandy drink available in a variety of flavours and marketed to children in the United Kingdom during the 1960s and 1970s. It was a brand of the Beecham Group until 1986 when it was sold along with the more popular brand Tango, along with the UK franchises for Pepsi and...
, Corona
Corona (soft drink)
Corona was a brand of carbonated beverage available in the United Kingdom and produced by Corona Soft Drinks. The firm was created by Rhondda grocers William Thomas and William Evans when they saw a market for soft drinks caused by the growing influence of the temperance movement in South Wales...
, Quosh, as well as the UK franchises for Pepsi
Pepsi
Pepsi is a carbonated soft drink that is produced and manufactured by PepsiCo...
and 7 Up
7 Up
7 Up is a brand of a lemon-lime flavored non-caffeinated soft drink. The rights to the brand are held by Dr Pepper Snapple Group in the United States, and PepsiCo in the rest of the world, including Puerto Rico, where the concentrate is manufactured at the Pepsi facility in Cidra...
, to Britvic
Britvic
Britvic plc is a British producer of soft drinks. It is the number two soft drinks producer in the UK. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index...
. The same year, Beecham acquired Norcliff Thayer
Norcliff Thayer
Norcliff Thayer, Inc., was a healthcare company that made Tums, Oxy, and Avail. In 1986, the company was acquired by Beecham. The Tums brand is the only remaining product owned by GlaxoSmithKline as of 2010; the Oxy brand was sold to The Mentholatum Company and Avail was discontinued....
, the makers of Tums
Tums
TUMS is an antacid made of sucrose and calcium carbonate manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline in St.Louis, Missouri, USA. It is a non-prescription drug and available at many retail stores, including drug stores, grocery stores and mass merchandisers. It provides relief from acid indigestion, heartburn,...
, Oxy, and Avail.
In 1989, The Beecham Group plc and SmithKline Beckman merged to form SmithKline Beecham plc.
In 2000, SmithKline Beecham and GlaxoWellcome merged to form GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline plc is a global pharmaceutical, biologics, vaccines and consumer healthcare company headquartered in London, United Kingdom...
.
A history of the company, Beechams, 1848-2000: From Pills to Pharmaceuticals, written by T.A.B. Corley, was published in 2011.
Products / Brands
- AquafreshAquafreshAquafresh is a brand of toothpaste that has been on sale since 1973. It is manufactured by consumer healthcare product maker GlaxoSmithKline...
- Beecham's PillsBeecham's PillsBeecham's Pills were a laxative first marketed around 1842 in St Helens, Lancashire. They were invented by Thomas Beecham , grandfather of Thomas Beecham ....
- Beecham's Powder
- BrylcreemBrylcreemBrylcreem is a brand of hair styling products for men. The first Brylcreem product was a pomade created in 1928 by County Chemicals at the Chemico Works in Bradford Street, Birmingham, England. The pomade is an emulsion of water and mineral oil stabilised with beeswax.Beecham was the longtime...
- EnoEno (drug)Eno is the most global of GSK's gastrointestinal products. The fast-acting effervescent fruit salts, used as an antacid and reliever of bloatedness, was invented in the 1850s by James Crossley Eno...
- HorlicksHorlicksHorlicks is the name of a company and of a malted milk hot drink. It is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline in the United Kingdom, South Africa, New Zealand, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Jamaica, and under licence in the Philippines and Malaysia....
- LucozadeLucozadeLucozade is an umbrella name for a 6 series of energy and sports drinks, produced by GlaxoSmithKline in Gloucestershire. The former company became part of Beecham and, after the mergers of SmithKline and Beecham in 2000, GlaxoSmithKline....
- RibenaRibenaRibena is a British brand of fruit-based uncarbonated soft drink, carbonated soft drink and fruit drink concentrate produced by GlaxoSmithKline. The original and most common variety contains real blackcurrant juice.- History :...
- Macleans
- Amoxil (amoxicillinAmoxicillinAmoxicillin , formerly amoxycillin , and abbreviated amox, is a moderate-spectrum, bacteriolytic, β-lactam antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections caused by susceptible microorganisms. It is usually the drug of choice within the class because it is better absorbed, following oral...
) - Augmentin (co-amoxiclavCo-amoxiclavAmoxicillin/clavulanic acid or co-amoxiclav is a combination antibiotic consisting of amoxicillin trihydrate, a β-lactam antibiotic, and potassium clavulanate, a β-lactamase inhibitor...
) - Avandia (rosiglitazoneRosiglitazoneRosiglitazone is an antidiabetic drug in the thiazolidinedione class of drugs. It works as an insulin sensitizer, by binding to the PPAR receptors in fat cells and making the cells more responsive to insulin...
) - Bactroban (mupirocinMupirocinMupirocin is an antibiotic originally isolated from Pseudomonas fluorescens NCIMB 10586, developed by Beecham....
) - Broxil (pheneticillinPheneticillinPheneticillin is a penicillin....
) - Celbenin (meticillin)
- clavulanic acidClavulanic acidClavulanic acid is a competitive β-lactamase inhibitor combined with penicillin group antibiotics to overcome certain types of antibiotic resistance. It is used to overcome resistance in bacteria that secrete β-lactamase, which otherwise inactivates most penicillins...
- Eminase (anistreplaseAnistreplaseAnistreplase is a thrombolytic drug.Anistreplase has been developed by Beecham as Eminase. It is also known as anisoylated plasminogen streptokinase activator complex -Mechanism:...
) - Engerix-B (hepatitis B vaccineHepatitis B vaccineHepatitis B vaccine is a vaccine developed for the prevention of hepatitis B virus infection. The vaccine contains one of the viral envelope proteins, hepatitis B surface antigen . It is produced by yeast cells, into which the genetic code for HBsAg has been inserted...
) - Floxapen (flucloxacillinFlucloxacillinFlucloxacillin or floxacillin is a narrow-spectrum beta-lactam antibiotic of the penicillin class. It is used to treat infections caused by susceptible Gram-positive bacteria. Unlike other penicillins, flucloxacillin has activity against beta-lactamase-producing organisms such as Staphylococcus...
) - granisetronGranisetronGranisetron is a serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonist used as an antiemetic to treat nausea and vomiting following chemotherapy. Its main effect is to reduce the activity of the vagus nerve, which is a nerve that activates the vomiting center in the medulla oblongata. It does not have much effect...
- Havrix (hepatitis A vaccineHepatitis A vaccineHepatitis A vaccine is a vaccine against the hepatitis A virus. The first successful vaccine against it was invented by Maurice Hilleman at Merck. The vaccine protects against the virus in more than 95% of cases and provides protection from the virus for at least ten years...
) - Orbenin (cloxacillinCloxacillinCloxacillin is a semisynthetic antibiotic in the same class as penicillin. Cloxacillin was discovered and developed by Beecham. It is sold under a number of trade names, including Cloxapen, Cloxacap, Tegopen and Orbenin....
) - Paxil (paroxetineParoxetineParoxetine is an SSRI antidepressant. Marketing of the drug began in 1992 by the pharmaceutical company SmithKline Beecham, now GlaxoSmithKline...
) - Penbritin (ampicillinAmpicillinAmpicillin is a beta-lactam antibiotic that has been used extensively to treat bacterial infections since 1961. Until the introduction of ampicillin by the British company Beecham, penicillin therapies had only been effective against Gram-positive organisms such as staphylococci and streptococci...
) - Pollinex (extract of ragweedRagweedRagweeds are flowering plants in the genus Ambrosia in the sunflower family Asteraceae. Common names include bitterweeds and bloodweeds....
pollen) - Pyopen (carbenicillinCarbenicillinCarbenicillin is a bacteriolytic antibiotic belonging to the carboxypenicillin subgroup of the penicillins. It was discovered by scientists at Beecham and marketed as Pyopen. It has Gram-negative coverage which includes Pseudomonas aeruginosa but limited Gram-positive coverage...
) - Relifex (nabumetoneNabumetoneNabumetone is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug , the only 1-naphthaleneacetic acid derivative. Nabumetone has been developed by Beecham...
) - Temopen (temocillinTemocillinTemocillin is a β-lactamase resistant penicillin introduced by Beecham, marketed by Eumedica Pharmaceuticals as Negaban primarily for the treatment of multiresistant Gram negative bacteria.It is a carboxypenicillin.-Pharmacology:...
) - Ticarpen (ticarcillinTicarcillinTicarcillin is a carboxypenicillin. It is almost invariably sold and used in combination with clavulanate as Timentin. Because it is a penicillin, it also falls within the larger class of beta-lactam antibiotics. Its main clinical use is as an injectable antibiotic for the treatment of...
) - Timentin (ticarcillinTicarcillinTicarcillin is a carboxypenicillin. It is almost invariably sold and used in combination with clavulanate as Timentin. Because it is a penicillin, it also falls within the larger class of beta-lactam antibiotics. Its main clinical use is as an injectable antibiotic for the treatment of...
/clavulanate)