London, Jan 24, 2026, 07:58 GMT — Market closed
- GSK shares closed Friday in London down 0.2%, despite China giving the green light to Trelegy Ellipta for asthma treatment
- The approval expands Trelegy’s China label past COPD, tapping into a market GSK estimates includes tens of millions of adults with asthma
- Investors are gearing up for GSK’s full-year and Q4 results, due Feb. 4
GSK plc shares slipped 0.2% to 1,801 pence on Friday following news that China approved Trelegy Ellipta for adults with uncontrolled asthma. With London trading closed for the weekend, investors will have to wait until Monday to assess the impact of the new label.
The approval is significant as it expands GSK’s key respiratory brand further into China, where the company estimates about 46 million adults suffer from asthma, with roughly half experiencing poorly controlled symptoms. GSK highlighted that this move makes Trelegy the only “single-inhaler triple therapy”—combining three medicines in one inhaler—approved for maintenance treatment of both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in China. GSK
GSK said its CAPTAIN study backed the approval, showing improved lung function compared to a two-drug regimen in patients not controlled on standard inhaled therapies. “Early intervention with a single inhaler triple therapy can improve clinical outcomes,” said Kaivan Khavandi, senior vice president and global head of respiratory, immunology and inflammation R&D, in the company’s statement. lse.co.uk
On Friday, the stock fluctuated between 1,796 and 1,814 pence, with just over 9 million shares traded. Despite the company highlighting the China approval as a new treatment choice for patients struggling with poorly controlled asthma, the GSK share price ended slightly down.
GSK’s shares traded in New York wrapped up Friday at $49.15, edging up roughly 1% from the day before.
Looking ahead to the week, earnings take center stage. GSK plans to release its fourth-quarter 2025 results at 07:00 GMT on Wednesday, Feb. 4. This report usually includes updated guidance and insights into demand for its key products.
Vaccine sentiment is growing unsettled beyond just respiratory issues. Investors and executives told Reuters that sweeping policy changes under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are already cooling the vaccine investment outlook. ING’s Stephen Farrelly put it bluntly: “Vaccines will not be a growth area under the current administration.” Reuters
The broader market offered little support heading into the weekend. The FTSE 100 dipped 0.07% on Friday, dragged down by geopolitical worries, Reuters reported, leaving investors cautious even around defensive stocks.
The China asthma label won’t immediately boost earnings. Its impact hinges on prescribing habits, access, and reimbursement choices, and it often takes a while before a new indication translates into higher volumes.
Another clear turning point is Feb. 4. Should GSK’s update signal weaker demand in its major franchises or adopt a cautious stance on 2026, the stock might retreat sharply.
Traders are set to gauge the initial full market response when London reopens Monday, Jan. 26. The next major event on the calendar is the Feb. 4 results release.
