On October 28, 2020 GSK reported that resilient performance, strong commercial execution and further strategic progress in Q3 (Press release, GlaxoSmithKline, OCT 28, 2020, View Source [SID1234569208]).

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Financial and product highlights
Reported Group sales £8.6 billion, -8% AER, -3% CER (Pro-forma -5% CER*, -3% CER excluding divestments/brands under review). Pharmaceuticals £4.2 billion, -7% AER, -3% CER; Vaccines £2.0 billion, -12% AER, -9% CER; Consumer Healthcare £2.4 billion, -4% AER, +2% CER (Pro-forma -6% CER*). Strong performance from key growth drivers in respiratory, HIV, oncology and Consumer Healthcare partly offset by expected disruption from COVID-19
Sales of new and specialty pharmaceuticals (excluding established products) £2.5 billion, +8% AER, +12% CER
Respiratory sales £978 million, +21% AER, +26% CER. Trelegy sales £194 million +40% AER, +45% CER. Nucala sales £251 million, +24% AER, +29% CER
HIV sales £1.2 billion, -4% AER, flat at CER; two-drug regimen sales £222 million, +87% AER, +94% CER
Oncology sales £99 million, +55% AER, +58% CER
Shingrix sales £374 million, -30% AER, -25% CER. US prescriptions rates returned to 2019 levels by quarter-end
Total Group operating margin 21.5%. Adjusted Group operating margin 30.8%. SG&A decline reflecting ongoing and active focus on cost management. R&D costs down in quarter; expect 2020 full year R&D costs to rise mid-to-high single digits as we continue to invest in late-stage pipeline
Total EPS 25.0p, -20% AER, -9% CER reflecting adverse changes on contingent consideration liabilities offset by asset disposals and improved operating performance
Adjusted EPS 35.6p, -8% AER, +1% CER reflecting operating profit growth partly offset by higher effective tax rate and non-controlling interest allocation of Consumer Healthcare profits
Q3 net cash flow from operations £0.9 billion. Free cash flow £(0.2) billion
19p dividend declared for the quarter
Guidance
On track to deliver full year 2020 Adjusted EPS at the lower end of the -1% to -4% range at CER
Pipeline highlights
Continued progress in biopharma pipeline with 3 approvals since Q2 results: FDA and EC approval of Blenrep as first anti-BCMA therapy for multiple myeloma; FDA approval of Trelegy for asthma; FDA approval of Nucala as first biologic treatment for Hypereosinophilic Syndrome (HES)
Positive European CHMP opinions in HIV for cabotegravir and rilpivirine as long-acting regimen for HIV treatment and for Zejula as first-line monotherapy maintenance treatment in ovarian cancer
Phase III trials to start in Q4 and Q1 2021 for RSV vaccines in maternal and older adults following positive Phase I/II data
First participant vaccinated in Phase III clinical trial of 5-in-1 meningitis ABCWY vaccine candidate
COVID-19 Solutions update
Phase I/II study of Sanofi-GSK adjuvanted recombinant protein-based vaccine candidate initiated. Phase III trial expected to start December 2020
Supply agreements reached with US, EU, UK, Canada for Sanofi-GSK vaccine. Statement of Intent signed with COVAX facility to support successful and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines worldwide
Phase III study underway for Vir-GSK antibody (VIR-7831) for high-risk outpatients with COVID-19, with initial results potentially available by the end of 2020
GSK Q3 2020 results
Emma Walmsley, Chief Executive Officer, GSK said:
"GSK has responded well to a challenging operating environment this year with disciplined cost control and strong commercial momentum in key growth products including Nucala, Trelegy, Benlysta, 2 drug-HIV regimens, Zejula, Shingrix and our priority Consumer Healthcare brands. This, combined with improving vaccination rates this quarter, means we are on track to deliver within our earnings guidance range for 2020. In addition, we continue to make good progress on our preparations to separate the Group and create two new companies – in Biopharma and Consumer Health – which we believe will deliver options for sustainable growth and returns to shareholders.

"R&D delivery has continued with three product approvals since Q2 results and presentation of new clinical data to support the start of Phase III development for our very promising RSV vaccines. We are also urgently advancing possible COVID-19 Solutions with our partners, including clinical trials for antibody therapy VIR-7831 and three different adjuvanted vaccines. We expect to see data on all of these before the end of the year."