Cancer
One in three people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime, making oncology a high priority for Bristol-Myers Squibb and the NHS. Bristol-Myers Squibb has been developing anti-cancer medicines since the 1960s. In 1994, we introduced the breakthrough drug Taxol® (paclitaxel), which changed the treatment of millions of cancer sufferers. We have over 25 oncology compounds in our pipeline. We anticipate submitting two of these for regulatory approval by 2008. A further three anti-cancer medicines are in late-stage clinical development.

HIV and AIDS
Since the identification of HIV in 1982, the disease has reached pandemic proportions, with prevalence in some African countries reaching over 33%. In the UK over 70,000 cases of HIV infection have been diagnosed in the last 20 years. However, due to improved treatment, the number of AIDS-related deaths in the UK has greatly fallen since 1995.

Bristol-Myers Squibb is the second-largest supplier of medicines for the treatment of HIV and AIDS, in the UK and across the world. We currently have four HIV products in use and ten compounds in our pipeline.

Diabetes
Diabetes is a growing global health crisis. More than 150 million people suffer from it worldwide, including almost two million in the UK. 100,000 Britons are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes each year. Our country has the fastest growing rate of diabetes in the developed world. The disease can shorten life expectancy by a decade and it is the leading cause of blindness in this country. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a significant history in the treatment of diabetes and we currently have a promising pipeline in clinical development.

Arthritis
More than seven million people in the UK have long-term health problems due to arthritis or a related condition. It is the second most common cause of time off work. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic and debilitating form of the disease and affects approximately 350,000 Britons and six million people globally. Most patients will experience a significant decrease in their quality of life and a reduction in life expectancy. One of the first new “biologics” medicines emerging from our late-stage pipeline is likely to be in this important area.

Hepatitis
Chronic hepatitis B infection is a potentially life-threatening disease and is the ninth-leading cause of death worldwide. More than a million people die each year from complications caused by chronic hepatitis B. In the UK, there are thought to be more than 180,000 people living with chronic hepatitis B, with around 9,000 new cases of chronic and acute hepatitis B discovered each year.

Psychiatric disorders
One person in every 100 will develop some form of schizophrenia, one of the most common and severe mental illnesses. Mostly the disease strikes young adults between the ages of 15 and 25, though it can develop at any time. Schizophrenia interferes with a person’s ability to think and act rationally, manage emotions, interact socially and make decisions. It needs to be treated as a chronic condition, paying attention to the quality of life and physical health of patients.

Atherothrombosis
Atherothrombosis is a process leading to the formation of blood clots in the arteries. It is an extremely common and potentially life-threatening disease. In fact, over 90% of all heart attacks and strokes are caused by blood clots. Atherothrombosis can shorten life expectancy by around 8-12 years for sufferers aged over 60. In line with the priority given to heart and vascular disease by the UK Government, we already have a major product available to patients in this arena.

Obesity
Britain has the fastest growing rate of obesity in the developed world. Over a fifth of adults and one in six 6-15 year olds are now obese. Obesity is a major contributing factor to diabetes and heart disease and also increases the likelihood of developing some cancers. By 2010 the projected cost of treating obesity and related illnesses in England will be £3.6 billion.

Alzheimer’s Disease/Dementia
Three quarters of a million people suffer from dementia in the UK. Prevalence increases dramatically with age and one in five people over the age of 80 are affected. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for over half of sufferers. Alzheimer's is a progressive, degenerative illness in which the structure and chemistry of the brain become increasingly damaged over time.

Solid organ transplantation
Transplants are the preferred treatment for most people with organ failure where possible. Without immunosuppressant drugs, virtually all transplants would fail. Each year, around 2,800 people in the UK receive an organ transplant. Eight thousand more are waiting for an organ transplant and each year around 400 of these people are likely to die before a suitable donated organ becomes available.