GSK to nearly double cancer drugs in clinical trials by 2027

GSK expects to nearly double its clinical-stage cancer portfolio of about 15 assets by 2027 under CEO Luke Miels, who is driving the U.K. drugmaker's return to oncology after a decade-long absence to offset an impending HIV patent cliff. Meanwhile, at ESMO 2026, Amgen reported Phase 3 trial data showing its bispecific antibody Imdelltra combined with AstraZeneca's Imfinzi reduced death risk by 58% in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer, extending median survival to 21.1 months.

GSK pipeline expansion targets

• ▪Hesham Abdullah, GSK's head of oncology research and development, stated that GSK expects its clinical-stage portfolio of about 15 cancer assets to nearly double in 2027.
• ▪GSK projects having 19 to 20 late-stage oncology studies underway in 2027, according to GSK oncology head Hesham Abdullah.

GSK oncology strategy and history

• ▪GSK is rebuilding its cancer medicine pipeline after having completely exited the oncology space more than a decade ago.
• ▪GSK Chief Executive Officer Luke Miels is steering the U.K. drugmaker back into oncology to reassure investors ahead of an impending patent cliff for its blockbuster HIV drugs.
• ▪GSK is centering its cancer strategy on key drug candidates including ris-rez, which delayed progression in a hard-to-treat bone cancer, and mo-rez.
• ▪GSK is accelerating its oncology drug pipeline by advancing select drug candidates directly from early-stage to late-stage clinical trials.

Imdelltra and Imfinzi trial efficacy

• ▪Amgen reported that 80% of trial patients receiving the Imdelltra and Imfinzi combination were alive after one year, compared to 53% receiving Imfinzi alone.
• ▪Patients receiving the combination of Amgen's Imdelltra and AstraZeneca's Imfinzi achieved a median overall survival of 21.1 months compared to 12.7 months for Imfinzi alone.
• ▪In a 563-patient Phase 3 trial presented at ESMO 2026, Amgen's Imdelltra combined with AstraZeneca's Imfinzi reduced death risk by 58% compared to Imfinzi alone in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer.

Small cell lung cancer Statistics

• ▪Small cell lung cancer accounts for up to 15% of all lung cancer cases, with approximately 250,000 new diagnoses worldwide annually according to the National Institutes of Health.
• ▪According to the American Cancer Society, the overall five-year survival rate for patients diagnosed with small cell lung cancer is approximately 9%.

GSK financial performance and targets

• ▪In July 2026, GSK stated it expected to have more than 20 late-stage studies by the end of 2026, including three cancer medicines selected for accelerated development.
• ▪GSK reported that its oncology business segment generated £1.08 billion ($1.44 billion) in revenue during the first half of 2026.

Trial safety and side effects

• ▪Serious side effects, including low white blood cell counts, occurred in 20.9% of trial patients receiving dual therapy compared to 10.8% receiving single therapy.
• ▪Cytokine release syndrome occurred in 49.6% of patients receiving Amgen's Imdelltra in the Phase 3 trial, with one serious case and no related deaths.

Approved small cell lung cancer treatments

• ▪AstraZeneca's immunotherapy Imfinzi serves as the standard of care post-chemotherapy for patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer whose disease has not worsened.
• ▪Amgen's Imdelltra is approved for adults with advanced small cell lung cancer that worsened despite chemotherapy, based on trial data showing a 40% reduction in death risk.