Strong Vaccine Sales Deliver Early Boost for GSK’s New Chief Executive

GSK has reported a strong performance in the first quarter, with revenue rising to £7.63 billion, reflecting a 5 per cent increase at constant currencies. This growth comes as the company welcomes Luke Miels, who succeeded Dame Emma Walmsley as chief executive in January.

Sales from vaccines, in particular, saw a 4 per cent increase, amounting to £2.1 billion. Notably, the shingles vaccine, Shingrix, experienced a substantial surge of 20 per cent, reaching sales of £1 billion. The uptick in demand in Europe and the inventory build-up of new pre-filled syringes in the United States contributed to these positive results, despite previous scepticism regarding vaccine uptake during the Trump administration.

Core group operating profit rose by 10 per cent to £2.65 billion. However, GSK’s share price fell by 5.4 per cent, closing at £19.18, following the update. This decline occurred despite a rally in shares after Miels’ appointment, as investors reacted to the news.

Investors have expressed optimism regarding Miels’ ability to implement a sharper commercial focus. Under Walmsley’s leadership, GSK made significant strides in rebuilding its drugs pipeline and separating its consumer healthcare business, Haleon, in 2022. Miels intends to provide a strategic update during the second-quarter results in July, shifting from a previously planned investor event focusing on the HIV franchise.

To overcome the impending patent expiry of the crucial HIV drug dolutegravir in 2028, GSK aims to achieve more than £40 billion in group sales by 2031. Miels reiterated the company’s commitment to maintaining its full-year forecasts, while analysts noted that the market’s reaction might have been an overreaction to the shift in focus.

As part of GSK’s strategic pivot, Miels has assessed over 50 late-stage programmes that could be accelerated. During the upcoming strategic update, he plans to outline the selected programmes and their potential value to the company.

Following the recent approvals of Exdensur in the EU and China for severe asthma, as well as Blenrep in China for multiple myeloma, GSK has indicated intentions to bolster its portfolio through strategic acquisitions, targeting deals between $2 billion and $4 billion. Recently, GSK acquired 35Pharma, a Canadian clinical-stage company that focuses on developing cardiopulmonary therapies.

GSK has also been concentrating on patients with comorbidities, including those susceptible to shingles, to further boost sales for Shingrix. Julie Brown, GSK’s chief financial officer, emphasised the strong returns associated with vaccine investments, citing significant potential for cost savings within the healthcare system through appropriate vaccination.