London, Jan 25, 2026, 07:55 GMT — Market closed
- China approved a new asthma indication for GSK’s Trelegy Ellipta inhaler
- GSK shares ended the session at 1,801p, slipping 3.5p.
- All eyes are on the Feb. 4 results for clues about China demand and future direction
Shares of GSK plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) are set to draw attention when London trading resumes Monday, following news that China approved a new asthma indication for its Trelegy Ellipta inhaler. On Friday, the stock closed down 3.5 pence, or 0.19%, at 1,801 pence, with around 9 million shares changing hands.
The approval expands Trelegy’s footprint in China, offering a rare boost to volume growth for big pharma amid tightening opportunities in mature markets. Respiratory drugs remain one of GSK’s more reliable segments, and investors have been eager for fresh catalysts to drive momentum.
The stock has been drifting this week, as traders juggle deal rumors alongside the overall mood in London — a market where even defensives aren’t immune to selling pressure. Monday’s open will reveal if the China news spreads past healthcare sectors.
GSK announced that China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has approved Trelegy Ellipta — a once-daily inhaler combining three medicines — for adults 18 and older with uncontrolled asthma. This adds to its existing indication for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The company called it the first single-inhaler triple therapy approved in China for both asthma and COPD. It referenced data from the CAPTAIN trial and estimated the adult asthma population at around 46 million, with roughly half uncontrolled. “Early intervention with a single inhaler triple therapy can improve clinical outcomes,” said Kaivan Khavandi, GSK’s global head of respiratory, immunology and inflammation R&D. GSK
UK stocks drifted into a subdued finish Friday. The FTSE 100 slipped 0.07% as ongoing geopolitical tensions weighed on investor sentiment, Reuters reported.
GSK grabbed attention by agreeing to acquire U.S. biotech RAPT Therapeutics for $2.2 billion, marking its first major deal under CEO Luke Miels and signaling a move into an experimental food-allergy drug. Jefferies analyst Michael Leuchten called it the kind of deal GSK must keep making to offset patent losses. “If there are other assets out there, they may well look at those as well,” he added. Reuters
But the stock remains caught in a sector buffeted by shifting policies, especially on vaccines, where GSK faces off against Sanofi, Pfizer, and Merck. “Vaccines will not be a growth area under the current administration,” said Stephen Farrelly, ING’s global pharma and healthcare lead, pointing to U.S. vaccine policy shifts under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Expansion of China labeling offers some upside, but sales hinge on both uptake and pricing—and those changes tend to unfold slowly. Reuters
Traders in the upcoming session will be eyeing whether GSK pulls ahead of the wider pharmaceutical sector or simply follows the broader risk sentiment. Volatility in healthcare stocks has surged, with headlines shifting quicker than the underlying fundamentals.
GSK will release its fourth-quarter 2025 results at 07:00 GMT (02:00 EST) on Wednesday, Feb. 4. Investors will be watching closely for updated guidance and any insights into Trelegy demand in China, which could significantly impact the share price.
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