LONDON, Feb 18, 2026, 09:46 GMT — Regular session
GSK (GSK.L) picked up roughly 1% on Wednesday, after the company announced European Commission approval for its Exdensur treatment—used for asthma and nasal polyps—and kicked off another round of share buybacks. Shares traded at 2,263 pence, up 1.1%.
The stock jumped 2.52% on Tuesday, closing at £22.39 and hitting a fresh 52-week high—outperforming the FTSE 100.
Why does it matter? GSK wants to prove it can generate growth on its own, without relying on big, one-off transactions. A new regulatory approval for its respiratory business and a buyback—where the company snaps up its own shares—are both part of that story, and either can shift sentiment in a hurry.
GSK’s stock-exchange filing confirmed Exdensur (depemokimab) picked up approval as an add-on for severe asthma tied to type 2 inflammation, as well as for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. The treatment lands with a twice-a-year dosing schedule. Kaivan Khavandi, who heads up respiratory R&D at GSK, described it as “an innovative ultra-long-acting option” offering “just two doses a year.” Physician Stephanie Korn also highlighted the twice-yearly regimen, calling it “a promising innovation” for people managing severe asthma. GSK
The company plans to buy back as much as 0.45 billion pounds in shares under the fourth tranche of its ongoing 2 billion pound programme, targeting completion by April 24. Trades will be handled through a non-discretionary agreement with BNP Paribas, with the aim of handing back surplus capital and reducing its outstanding shares.
GSK snapped up 420,000 shares on Tuesday, according to a filing released Wednesday, paying between 2,189 and 2,259 pence apiece. The company plans to hold the stock in treasury.
Broker moves showed up too. Berenberg’s Kerry Holford kept a Neutral call but bumped up the target to 2,000 pence, a note via dpa-AFX said.
GSK on Tuesday pointed to fresh real-world numbers for its RSV vaccine Arexvy, highlighting the shot’s performance against respiratory syncytial virus — a threat for seniors — just before the RSVVW’26 gathering kicks off in Rome. In the U.S., researchers tracked over 2.5 million people aged 60-plus and found the vaccine linked to 75.6% effectiveness at preventing RSV-related hospitalizations. Cardiologist Deepak L. Bhatt added that getting vaccinated “could help reduce the risk” of heart attack and stroke.
Still, investors are waiting to see how Exdensur navigates the busy European biologics space—and how payers and lung specialists respond. GSK, for its part, flagged that the RSV results rely on observational data, which stops short of establishing direct causality.
GSK shares will go ex-dividend on Feb. 19, so anyone picking up stock afterward won’t get the next payout, per the company’s dividend calendar. Also on the radar: more details on share buybacks and the first-quarter results, which are expected April 29.
