What should I know about GSK?
GSK is a British pharmaceutical company, headquartered in the UK, that develops and sells specialty medicines, vaccines and general medicines. It was formed in 2000 by the merger of Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham. It is known for HIV treatments, vaccines for shingles and respiratory infections, and a growing range of cancer medicines. In 2025, specialty medicines made up 41% of sales, general medicines 31% and vaccines 28%. Luke Miels replaced Emma Walmsley as chief executive on 1 January 2026. In the second quarter of 2026 GSK reported sales of £8.4 billion.
What are GSK's main drugs?
GSK's main products include the shingles vaccine Shingrix and the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine Arexvy, the asthma and COPD treatment Nucala, and a range of HIV medicines from its ViiV Healthcare business. In the second quarter of 2026, specialty medicines grew 14% and vaccines 8%. Sales of the long-acting HIV treatment Cabenuva rose 33% and Apretude, for HIV prevention, 39%. Blenrep, a multiple myeloma treatment, is approved in 49 countries. General medicines, which include older products such as the respiratory inhaler Trelegy, fell 9% on pricing pressure.
What is GSK currently developing?
GSK plans more than 20 Phase III starts in 2026, double its original commitment. Its pipeline includes two antibody-drug conjugates, an ultra-long-acting respiratory treatment and a HIV treatment given three times a year. In July 2026 it completed the acquisition of Nuvalent at a net cost of £7.1 billion, and the FDA has approved Jideytro for a type of lung cancer. A decision on neladalkib, for another lung cancer type, is expected by 27 November. GSK said the Nuvalent deal cost $10.6 billion at announcement.
Have there been any controversies involving GSK?
GSK's largest recent controversy is the heartburn drug Zantac (ranitidine). In October 2024 it agreed to settle about 80,000 US cases for up to $2.2 billion, covering 93% of pending state-court lawsuits, plus $70 million for a related whistleblower case. Plaintiffs alleged the drug could cause cancer. GSK said there was "no consistent or reliable evidence" that ranitidine increased cancer risk and did not admit wrongdoing in the settlement. The deal removed what had been a major source of legal uncertainty for the company.
Is GSK publicly traded, and how big is it?
Yes. GSK is listed on the London Stock Exchange (GSK), and its American depositary shares also trade on the New York Stock Exchange. Its revenue was £32.7 billion in 2025, and the company is targeting £40 billion by 2031. It employs more than 65,000 people. In the second quarter of 2026 it reported sales of £8.4 billion, up 5% at constant exchange rates. It expects 2026 sales and core operating profit growth in the upper half of its earlier ranges.