US bank sees GSK oncology pipeline as major value driver after New York conference Proactive uses images sourced from Shutterstock
Jefferies has flagged four near-term catalysts in GSK PLC’s (LSE:GSK, NYSE:GSK) oncology pipeline following a fireside chat with the pharmaceutical company’s global head of oncology and research and development at the bank’s New York healthcare conference, reiterating its buy rating and 2,500p price target on the stock.
GSK, which is trading at 1,872p, plans to present additional datasets for its B7H3 antibody-drug conjugate. This targeted cancer therapy delivers toxic payloads directly to tumour cells, at a major oncology conference in the second half of 2026, which Jefferies believes is likely to be ESMO, the European Society for Medical Oncology’s annual meeting.
The bank said management views the B7H3 asset as equally important to its B7H4 programme, with B7H4 focused on gynaecological cancers, particularly ovarian and endometrial, while B7H3 has a broader expression profile spanning thoracic, gastrointestinal, prostate and sarcoma tumours.
Several additional phase III trials are expected to be disclosed for B7H3 over the coming months.
On IDRx-42, GSK’s treatment for gastrointestinal stromal tumours, which produced positive data at the ASCO oncology conference, management highlighted that the grade 3 adverse event rate is notably lower than competing combination approaches, and said it is doing what it can to accelerate the phase III first-line programme.
Jefferies also flagged renewed interest in Blenrep, GSK’s multiple myeloma treatment, after modelling data presented at the European Myeloma Network suggested median progression-free survival in a triplet combination could reach 100 months at the DREAMM-10 trial dose, comparing favourably to the 90 months seen with the currently approved quadruplet regimen.
The bank noted GSK’s view that external mergers and acquisitions will always be necessary to complement internal research and development, with management flagging a growing pipeline of innovation from Asia.
Artificial intelligence and digital pathology were described as fundamental pillars of GSK’s research approach, including the 2025 acquisition of CELLphenomics, which specialises in organoid technology to better understand tumour biology.
Jefferies said oncology remains on track to make a significant contribution to GSK’s sales by 2031 and beyond.