GSK Highlights New Approvals, Vaccine Momentum At JPMorgan Healthcare Conference

GSK plc GSK expects strong momentum in the specialty business segment to continue with growth from existing assets.

At the JPMorgan Healthcare Conference, the European healthcare giant noted there will be significant launch opportunities in respiratory and oncology.

GSK adds that the strength of these will overcome short-term vaccine challenges from external pressures in the US and China. The Brentford, U.K.-based company remains confident that Arexvy, Shingrix, and all vaccine pipelines will contribute meaningfully in the medium and longer term.

GSK has planned five new product approvals in 2025 and the forefront of these is Blenrep, an off-the-shelf ADC1 for multiple myeloma.

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• In December, data from the DREAMM-7 trial of Blenrep showed a statistically significant 42% reduction in the risk of death among patients receiving the Blenrep combination (n=243) versus the Darzalex arm (n=251) (HR 0.58).
• The company expects peak-year sales of over $3.68 billion (over 3 billion pounds).
• GSK added that Blenrep is most commercially impactful as the company is trying to reposition with a change in dosing. GSK said it would be cautious regarding its initial uptake as bringing back a discontinued product is a difficult journey. Launch and investment will be cautioned.

Next in line is depemokimab, a long-acting IL-56 for eosinophilic-led diseases. Data showed a 72% reduction in exacerbations requiring hospitalizations. The company forecasts peak year sales of around 4 billion pounds. GSK said depemokimab would be exciting in terms of transition from Nucala.

GSK says another product, gepotidacin, is the first in a new class of oral antibiotics for uUTI in over twenty years.

When asked about the change in administration in the U.S., GSK CEO Emma Walmsley said, "Let's wait and see.”

“There is categorically no better return on healthcare budgets and no better intervention in public health—and stopping disease before it starts—than keeping people out of the hospital…We need to run toward these conversations with transparency and trust,” Walmsley added.

Walmsley noted that GSK invested another $800 million in a Pennsylvania manufacturing for medicines and vaccines.

“We've got 15,000 people here,” Walmsley said. “The majority of our business development business is still here in some the most exciting cities for innovation. So we're all in on the U.S."

Just before the conference, GSK agreed to acquire IDRx, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on precision therapeutics for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), for $1 billion.

Price Action: GSK stock is up 1.54% at $32.58 at last check Wednesday.

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