By Najat Kantouar and Helena Smolak


GSK's experimental drug for asthma met its goals in the latest trial, moving a treatment with potential annual peak sales of more than 3 billion pounds ($3.81 billion) closer to market.

The British pharmaceutical company's depemokimab drug reduced asthma attacks in late-stage trials for patients with severe eosinophilic asthma, a form of the disease caused by high levels of white blood cells, GSK said Tuesday.

Depemokimab could be the first approved drug to allow a long-term dosing interval, requiring only two injections a year. This would benefit patients exposed to multiple therapies, the company said.

GSK plans to submit the drug for approval for severe asthma in the U.S. in the second half of the year.

GSK is building out its respiratory portfolio--one of its core therapy areas--as part of Chief Executive Emma Walmsley's long-term growth plan, with depemokimab as one of its 12 major new product launches it plans over the next few years.

As part of that strategy, GSK in January bought biopharmaceutical company Aiolos Bio to further strengthen its pipeline for respiratory treatments.

Elsewhere, GSK is streamlining its operations. Last week it sold off its remaining stake in consumer health company Haleon, ending its gradual disposal of shares in the company formed by a joint venture with Pfizer in 2019.

GSK will present full results on depemokimab at an upcoming scientific congress, it said. It expects depemokimab results on further treatments for a range of related respiratory conditions, which are also in late-stage trials. It expects approvals across a range of conditions in 2026 and 2027.


Write to Najat Kantouar at najat.kantouar@wsj.com and Helena Smolak at helena.smolak@wsj.com


(END) Dow Jones Newswires

05-21-24 0802ET