GSK PLC (LSE:GSK, NYSE:GSK) said a strong third-quarter performance has driven a further upgrade to full-year guidance boosted by demand for its respiratory treatment in the US.
The pharmaceuticals company expects full-year turnover to increase by 12-13%, up from 8-10% before, with adjusted operating profit growth of 13-15%, up from 11-13% previously.
Adjusted EPS is seen rising by as much as 20% compared to 17% before.
Emma Walmsley, chief executive officer, said: "GSK is delivering strong and sustained performance momentum, with another quarter of double-digit sales and earnings growth.
“Competitive performance was broadly based but benefitted particularly from the outstanding US launch of Arexvy, the world's first RSV vaccine.”
Total third-quarter sales rose 10% to £8.15 billion, with adjusted operating profit up 15% to £2.77 billion and adjusted EPS up 17% at 50.4p.
Vaccine sales jumped 33%, with sales of shingles drug Shingrix up 15% to £0.8 billion while strong demand for the new respiratory syncytial virus vaccine, Arexvy, saw sales reach £0.7 billion.
GSK assumes sales of Arexvy will track in line with high-dose flu analogues and for the full year expects sales between £0.9 billion to £1 billion.
Specialty Medicines sales fell 1% with General Medicines sales down 2% with the impact of generic competition to older products, in part offset by Trelegy which rose 23%.
GSK declared a third-quarter dividend of 14p, with a 56.5p payout expected for the full year.