GSK's (GSK.US) experimental drug Depemokimab showed positive results in a trial for nasal polyps
GlaxoSmithKline's (GSK.US) experimental drug for a common nasal condition showed positive results in two late-stage trials, boosting the British drugmaker's pipeline.
Depemokimab helped reduce nasal congestion and the size of polyps in patients with chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps, a common disease that affects up to 4% of the population, GSK said. About 40% of patients with the condition are not controlled, the company said in a statement on Monday.
Shares of GSK rose about 1% before the U.S. market opened on Monday. The stock has risen 2.3% since the beginning of the year.
Depemokimab is seen as a key part of GSK's growth over the next few years, with the company hoping to launch the drug for multiple diseases between 2026 and 2027. The company expects Depemokimab to generate annual sales of up to £3bn (US$3.9bn).
The drug is a super-long-acting injection that can be given to patients every six months. Depemokimab has also been shown to help prevent severe asthma attacks. GSK will present the full results of the drug's trials for chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps at a scientific meeting.