London, Jan 26, 2026, 07:59 GMT — Premarket
- The EU Commission has approved GSK’s Arexvy RSV vaccine for adults aged 18 and older
- GSK shares showed little movement in early trading before the London market opened
- Investors await Arexvy sales figures and the 2026 outlook in results set for Feb. 4
GSK (GSK.L) announced that the European Commission has greenlit its RSV vaccine Arexvy for adults 18 and older, expanding eligibility beyond those 60-plus and high-risk individuals aged 50 to 59. “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. The approval applies across EU member states and countries in the European Economic Area. GSK pointed to an average of 158,000 RSV-related adult hospitalisations annually within the EU. GSK
The broader label is significant as it expands the group eligible for the RSV shots across Europe, where public health bodies are still working out who qualifies for offers and reimbursements. For investors, this adds another piece to the puzzle of whether Arexvy can maintain its foothold in an increasingly crowded market.
The news hits GSK just a week before its upcoming earnings report, where executives are expected to address vaccine demand and the potential impact of any label expansions on orders. According to GSK’s investor calendar, the company will release its full-year and Q4 2025 results on Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 07:00 GMT.
GSK shares finished Friday down 0.19% at 1,801 pence, with early signals from Cboe Europe pointing to a slight uptick around 1,801.25 pence before London’s cash market opened. Meanwhile, in New York, the company’s ADRs gained roughly 1%, closing at $49.15.
RSV is a widespread virus that affects the lungs and airways. In adults, it can cause lower respiratory tract illnesses like bronchitis or pneumonia, with risks increasing as people get older or have chronic health issues.
GSK’s vaccine goes head-to-head with Pfizer’s Abrysvo and Moderna’s mResVax. But the battle isn’t just about official approvals—it hinges on national guidelines and who foots the bill. Demand shifts with the winter respiratory season and how hard governments push vaccination campaigns.
Still, wider approval doesn’t ensure sales will spike anytime soon. European payers might prioritize funding for older or high-risk groups. Plus, if clinics and health systems don’t adopt RSV vaccination as standard practice, uptake could remain slow.
Traders are also keeping an eye on how fast this label change leads to rollouts across different countries, and if GSK signals any changes in supply, pricing, or demand. If the market treats it as a mere box-ticking event that’s already factored in, the stock’s response might be subdued.
