GSK PLC (LSE:GSK, NYSE:GSK) has reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter results, largely due to strong sales of its popular shingles vaccine, Shingrix.
The pharma giant, which spun out its Haleon consumer business last summer, posted adjusted earnings of 25.8p per share on revenues of around £7.4bn.
Ahead of the figures, the consensus for sales was £7.1bn, while EPS was 21.2p.
For the 12 months ended 31 December 2022, GSK posted £29.3bn of turnover, up 19%, and per-share earnings of 139.7p, ahead more than a quarter over the same period in 2021.
The company’s vaccines business, which was nowhere during the pandemic, roared back to post revenues of £7.9bn, a gain of 17%, with Shingrix contributing £3bn to that total, representing a year-on-year advance of 72%.
GSK said it has a potential best-in-class jab for RSV, a cold-like virus that particularly affects the elderly.
Chief executive Emma Walmsley called 2022 a "landmark year".
“We enter 2023 with good momentum, underpinning confidence in our ambitious sales and profit outlooks for 2026," she said.
“At the same time, we continue to build a stronger portfolio and pipeline based on infectious diseases and the science of the immune system, including our potential new RSV vaccine.
“This momentum, together with further targeted business development, means GSK will also be in a strong position to deliver growth from 2026 onwards."