GSK in July this year set a new strategy for the upcoming decades when it demerged its consumer business to unite science, technology, and talent to prevent disease. The multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company now moves forward with a comprehensive portfolio spanning infectious diseases, HIV, oncology, immunology, and a deep focus on science of the immune system, human genetics, and advanced technologies.

“This new direction enables us to focus all of our attention on innovation, biopharma, and new technology through the lens of the immune system and human genetics,” says Mick Stanley, VP and general manager of GSK Taiwan. “It has allowed us to reinvent ourselves to the benefit of patients.”

GSK Taiwan provides over 50 treatments in general medicine in addition to its specialty medicines for chronic conditions and its vaccines. Its respiratory products improve the lives of over two million patients in Taiwan, a number that is set to increase as GSK announced positive Phase III data for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine candidates for older adults in June.

The company also boasts the world’s most comprehensive vaccine portfolio – nearly every newborn in Taiwan receives a pediatric vaccine from GSK. In addition, GSK has launched three innovative HIV treatments since 2015 and focuses on long-acting treatments of HIV to support improved quality of life.

By leveraging breakthroughs in genomics, AI, and innovative partnerships with organizations such as 23andMe and UK BioBank, GSK is gathering an ever-growing library of genetic and genomic data, decoding it with unprecedented speed, scale, and precision.

Stanley notes that the objective is to double the company’s developmental success rate for the benefit of patients. And the new technology has enabled rapid progress – GSK in 2020 produced more data in a single quarter than it had previously amassed throughout its 300-year history.

With a dedicated clinical research team in Taiwan, GSK conducted 35 clinical trials between 2019-2021 in cooperation with 16 hospitals and research centers. The company now plans to increase the number of local trials to bring innovation to the island faster.

“For us, it’s about building a local team that is fit for purpose,” says Stanley. “These local trials help us investigate the efficiency of our treatments to the patient population in Taiwan, and by being part of the value chain we ensure that our treatments are prioritized.”

Performing local trials is only one aspect of GSK’s commitment and contribution to citizen health. The company has been ranked number one on the Access to Medicine Index for the last seven years, thanks to its extensive efforts as a public health partner.

“Our top priority is bringing more innovation to Taiwan,” says Stanley. “Being a helpful and proactive partner to the industry and government will help us make the best possible use of our portfolio. We want to gather all stakeholders and discern how to effectively communicate the fact that vaccines will help people live longer, decrease healthcare spending, and improve health.”

GSK supports the government-funded immunization program and assists Taiwan in building a sustainable adult vaccine program through public awareness efforts and opening up dialogues between multiple stakeholders. Stanley notes that partnering with other pharmaceutical companies through the AmCham Taiwan Public Health Committee has been an efficient avenue for these efforts.

To accelerate innovation, the company steadfastly believes that driving success through diverse teams is an absolute. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are at the core of GSK, which works to foster a culture that ensures every individual’s chance of success, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, age, or religion.

In fact, 58% of the managers at GSK Taiwan are women, and half of Stanley’s leadership team are women. “We didn’t achieve these numbers because we have rules about gender division,” says Stanley. “We’ve gotten there organically by finding the right people for the job.” He adds that inclusion and diversity are more than a corporate responsibility effort – they are key drivers of success.

“If you sit at a table where everyone’s thinking, looking, and acting the same, you end up with a limited set of answers,” he says. “With a diverse team, you’ll foster better ideas and solutions and execute at a much higher level because you’re challenged along the way. Fundamentally, it’s about driving better performance.”

GSK is an ally of the LGBTQ+ community and supports Taiwan events promoting inclusivity, such as the Pride Parade and the British Chamber of Commerce in Taipei’s Diversity Award. Through its Orange Day Initiative, the company also offers employees a day of work to give back to the community via local or national charities. “Having an environment where people enjoy what they do, feel valued, and can be themselves is absolutely critical to our business,” says Stanley. “Whether it’s GSK employees or third parties we work with, we are making sure that people are supported to do the right thing.”