UK-based big pharma GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has released its Q2 2025 results, which highlight the varying successes of its current portfolio.
While the company’s total sales in this period totalled £8bn ($10.7bn) — 6% constant exchange rates (CER) up from the previous quarter — general medicines took a hit, with only its chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) drug Trelegy Ellipta (fluticasone furoate/umeclidinium bromide/vilanterol) experiencing growth.
However, Trelegy’s success may be short-lived, as according to a report by GlobalData, parent company of Pharmaceutical Technology, sales of the drug will likely hit a wall by 2027 due to the drug’s loss of market exclusivity.
Although the sales of Trelegy may take a hit later down the line, Asiyah Nawab, Pharma Analyst at GlobalData, noted that “the anticipated launch of other late-stage clinical candidates, particularly biologics, will undoubtedly be a driving force for market growth in the COPD space for GSK”.
GSK’s Nucala (mepolizumab) received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for COPD in May 2025, based on data from the MATINEE (NCT04133909) and METREX trials, marking a new avenue for GSK in COPD. The therapy was first approved for use in asthma in 2015.
GSK will also be hanging hopes on depemokimab, an ultra-long-acting anti-IL5 biologic; however, its first step into the market will likely be in asthma, with GSK having submitted for approval to the FDA in this indication earlier in 2025. The therapy is in two Phase III trials in COPD, which, if successful, will be another indication GSK will be looking to obtain approval in.
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By GlobalDataVaccines and speciality drugs drive growth
Despite the losses seen by its general medicines portfolio, GSK has experienced healthy growth in other sectors, with speciality medicine sales rising by 15% to £3.3bn.
GSK defines speciality medicines as those focused on innovative therapies in infectious diseases, HIV, respiratory/immunology and oncology.
The growth was primarily driven by rising HIV drug sales — which were up 12% — as well as a notable interest in the company’s respiratory, immunology and inflammation portfolio.
GSK’s oncology assets also experienced significant growth, with the treatments in this indication raking in 42% more than last quarter at £0.5bn.
Vaccines further contributed to GSK’s Q2 result success, with sales of the company’s respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) jab Arexvy rising by 13%.
Sales of its shingles vaccine Shingrix further rose to £853m despite the declining Chinese vaccine market, suggesting that this modality could contribute to the pharma giant’s continued growth.
According to the company’s CEO, Emma Walmsley, the growth of its speciality medicines business is complemented by “very good progress in R&D,” with three major FDA approvals achieved already this year.
“With 16 assets now in late-stage development, and four more promising medicines to treat cancer, liver disease and HIV expected to enter Phase III and pivotal development by the end of the year, we remain confident in our long-term outlooks,” Walmsley concluded.
