Ionis and GSK Report Positive Phase 3 Results for Bepirovirsen in Chronic Hepatitis B Treatment
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 07 2026
0mins
Should l Buy GSK?
Source: Businesswire
- Clinical Trial Success: The B-Well 1 and B-Well 2 studies, conducted by Ionis and GSK across 29 countries with over 1,800 patients, successfully met their primary endpoint, demonstrating that bepirovirsen significantly improves functional cure rates compared to standard treatment, indicating a major advancement in chronic hepatitis B therapy.
- Significant Market Potential: With chronic hepatitis B affecting over 250 million people globally, if approved, bepirovirsen could become the first finite six-month therapeutic option, potentially reducing the risk of liver cancer and other long-term complications, thus addressing a critical unmet need in the market.
- Strategic Collaboration Benefits: The partnership between Ionis and GSK has facilitated the smooth development of bepirovirsen, with Ionis set to receive up to $150 million in regulatory and sales milestone payments, enhancing its financial position and research capabilities.
- Regulatory Recognition: Bepirovirsen has received Fast Track designation from the US FDA, Breakthrough Therapy designation in China, and SENKU designation in Japan, highlighting its innovative potential and market acceptance on a global scale, which bodes well for future commercial success.
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Analyst Views on GSK
Wall Street analysts forecast GSK stock price to fall
6 Analyst Rating
1 Buy
2 Hold
3 Sell
Moderate Sell
Current: 58.540
Low
20.15
Averages
38.72
High
55.60
Current: 58.540
Low
20.15
Averages
38.72
High
55.60
About GSK
GSK plc is a biopharma company. The Company’s segments include Commercial Operations and Research and Development. Its portfolio and pipeline are focused on developing medicines and vaccines in four core therapeutic areas, which are the areas of human health it focuses on to prevent and treat disease: respiratory, immunology and inflammation; oncology; human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and infectious diseases. Its specialty medicines prevent and treat diseases, from HIV to respiratory diseases, immune-mediated conditions like lupus, and cancer. Its vaccine portfolio includes over 20 vaccines to protect people from diseases and infections throughout their lives. General medicines include inhaled medicines for asthma and COPD to antibiotics. It develops and commercializes preclinical antibody-drug conjugate for Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Its portfolio also includes Efimosfermin, a fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) analog therapeutic in clinical development.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Market Demand Potential: The Arexvy vaccine aims to prevent lower respiratory tract disease caused by respiratory syncytial virus, and given the serious impact of RSV on the elderly, its launch will meet the urgent market need for respiratory disease prevention in older adults, potentially leading to substantial market revenue.
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- Clinical Trial Results: This approval is based on the Phase III MATINEE trial results, where Nucala demonstrated a clinically meaningful and statistically significant reduction in the annualized rate of moderate to severe COPD exacerbations compared to placebo.
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