London, Jan 27, 2026, 09:20 GMT — Regular session
- GSK shares tick up in early London trading following the EU’s green light to broaden the label for its Arexvy RSV vaccine
- Arexvy’s approved age range in Europe now includes all adults aged 18 and over
- Investors are eyeing GSK’s February 4 earnings for fresh guidance on 2026
GSK shares climbed in early London action Tuesday following news the drugmaker secured European approval to expand its respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine Arexvy for all adults 18 and older. By 0904 GMT, the stock had gained 0.7% to 1,841.5 pence.
Timing is crucial. GSK is just under two weeks away from releasing its full-year and Q4 results, with investors looking for new insights on vaccine demand and guidance for 2026.
A U.S. regulatory filing revealed the European Commission has greenlighted Arexvy for adults 18 and up, pushing past the previous focus on older and higher-risk groups. “This approval helps protect all adults aged 18 and older in Europe against RSV,” said Sanjay Gurunathan, GSK’s head of vaccines and infectious diseases R&D, in a statement. SEC
RSV is a widespread respiratory virus that can escalate to serious illness in certain adults. The European medicines regulator defines lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) as lung conditions like bronchitis or pneumonia.
The expanded label enters a crowded field as major drugmakers vie for dominance in the newly launched RSV vaccine market. Last month, a European regulator-backed expansion plan highlighted rivalry from Pfizer’s Abrysvo and Moderna’s mResvia.
GSK’s shares in London showed some turbulence this week. On Monday, the stock ended up 1.5%, outpacing a flat FTSE 100, market data shows.
Traders will be watching closely to see if broader labeling actually leads to increased use. Across Europe, vaccine adoption remains tied to individual countries’ guidelines, procurement strategies, and reimbursement policies, which often trail behind approvals and shift with the seasons.
There’s a downside risk too. Competition from rival promotions, budget constraints within health systems, and patchy demand might curb any immediate revenue boost from a wider label. As a result, the stock could end up moving more on future guidance than on the approval itself.
GSK is also aiming to expand its RSV vaccine approvals beyond Europe, targeting markets like the United States and Japan. This move reflects a broader push by drugmakers to extend RSV protection to more adult groups.
GSK is set to release its fourth-quarter results on Feb. 4 at 0700 GMT, followed by a webcast. This event will give insight into management’s outlook for vaccines and the broader portfolio in 2026.
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