

GSK PLC's (LSE:GSK, NYSE:GSK) experimental mRNA flu vaccine produced data that closely resemble Moderna's own candidate, according to Deutsche Bank. Analyst Emmanuel Papadakis reviewed detailed phase II results GSK presented at the OPTIONS XIII Conference for the Control of Influenza last weekend.

HUTCHMED NASDAQ: HCM said it has entered a co-development and licensing agreement with GSK for ex-China rights to HMPL-A830, a preclinical KRAS-EGFR antibody-targeted therapy conjugate, or ATTC. The transaction has a total potential value of approximately $1.3 billion, including a $110 million upfront payment, according to Acting Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Johnny Cheng.

Hutchmed (China) Ltd (AIM:HCM, NASDAQ:HCM, HKG:0013, FRA:H7T2) won ringing endorsements from City brokers on Thursday after securing a blockbuster licensing agreement with GSK PLC (LSE:GSK, NYSE:GSK), exposing what analysts regard as a deep valuation disconnect. The shares leapt 15% to 205.84p as Cavendish and Panmure Liberum reiterated their respective 'buy' ratings, arguing that the market continues to overlook the biotech's expanding oncology pipeline.

Hutchmed (China) Ltd (AIM:HCM, NASDAQ:HCM, HKG:0013, FRA:H7T2) shares jumped 17% to 210p on Thursday after the oncology specialist struck a licensing agreement with GSK worth up to US$1.295 billion for its experimental KRAS-EGFR cancer therapy. The shares were up 30.5p from Wednesday's 179.5p close following news that GSK will receive exclusive rights outside Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan to develop and commercialise HMPL-A830.

GSK subsidiary GlaxoSmithKline Intellectual Property (No. 4) Ltd will pay a unit of HUTCHMED (China) $110 million upfront for rights to an experimental drug for solid tumours, the Chinese drugmaker said on Thursday.

GSK to advance its mRNA flu vaccine into phase III after phase II study has shown stronger immune responses and good tolerability.

Today's major mRNA headline is a competitive threat to Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA | MRNA Price Prediction), and the stock is climbing anyway.

GSK's shares are down 14% in six months, but strong Specialty Medicines growth and a robust pipeline may support long-term gains.