PRESS RELEASE: Thompson Scientific Publishes "Who Is Making The Biggest Splash"

Thompson Scientific Publishes "Who Is Making The Biggest Splash"

A QUARTERLY REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE ON DRUGS AND THERAPIES FROM APRIL – JUNE 2007

Novartis Takes Top Spot, Previously Held by GlaxoSmithKline Since June 2006 

Philadelphia, PA USA, London UK, October 16, 2007 -- Thomson Scientific, part of The Thomson Corporation and leading provider of information solutions to the worldwide research and business communities, today announced the availability of its most recent quarterly review of scientific literature on drugs and therapies.  "Who is Making the Biggest Splash?" was created to provide an objective assessment of how this tremendous volume of research is being received within the clinical community and to give expert measured insight into organizations that helped to shape professional opinions.  In this quarterly review, Thomson Scientific has assessed the quantity and quality of the materials published by pharmaceutical companies, research institutions and other non-commercial from April – June 2007 to identify which organization has made the biggest splash.

Novartis gained pole position in this quarter's analysis, knocking GlaxoSmithKline out of the top spot for the first time since June 2006. Researchers affiliated with the firm issued 82 articles, abstracts or scientific posters between April and June 2007, more than the 73 identified in the previous quarter.  The company maintained its solid Thomson Source Score of 76.  Three of the other organizations at the top of the list (AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, and Eli Lilly) this quarter also ranked in the top five last quarter.  

"The international pharmaceutical industry is among the most active sponsors of scientific research, so it is understandable that our findings confirm that scientific articles affiliated with, or sponsored by, pharmaceutical companies provide a robust level of information for readers of scientific journals," said Larry Liberti, VP, General Manager, Thomson Pharmaceutical Services. "Our one-of-a-kind report finds that many pharmaceutical companies have good grounds for saying what they say – and judging by their source score, say it well."

Other key findings include:

  • GlaxoSmithKline drops to fourth, with 18 less sources than Novartis.
  • Big Pharma features prominently, representing all entries except for the two US National Institutes of Health.
  • There was a notable change from previous quarters where at least one discovery or biotechnology company was represented in the top ten.
  • No companies in the top 15 exceed a Thomson Source Score of 80%.
  • The top six entries are among the world's leading pharmaceutical companies.

Findings are based on information compiled from Thomson Pharma® and the Thomson Message Mapping SystemSM, which provides data to the pharmaceutical industry in real-time, evaluating specific drugs and therapies against competitors as new studies are being published, helping pharmaceutical companies to measure the overall impact of published scientific information.

For a full copy of the report with analysis, please visit: http://www.thomsonpharma.com/media/pdfs/tpqr/making-a-splash-apr2007.pdf

About The Thomson Corporation
The Thomson Corporation ( www.thomson.com) is a global leader in providing essential electronic workflow solutions to business and professional customers.  With operational headquarters in Stamford, Conn., Thomson provides value-added information, software tools and applications to professionals in the fields of law, tax, accounting, financial services, scientific research and healthcare.  The Corporation's common shares are listed on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges (NYSE: TOC; TSX: TOC).

Thomson Scientific is a business of The Thomson Corporation.  Its information solutions assist professionals at every stage of research and development—from discovery to analysis to product development and distribution. Thomson Scientific information solutions can be found at scientific.thomson.com.