GSK CEO Announces $30bn US Investment Amid Shifting Pharmaceutical Market Trends
GSK CEO Dame Emma Walmsley has declared that the United States remains the best country for investment, revealing plans to invest $30 billion in the US by the end of the decade. More than half of GSK’s turnover comes from the US, which is identified as the leading market for new drug and vaccine launches. Meanwhile, China is also highlighted for its business development opportunities.
This investment strategy contrasts with more cautious approaches seen in the UK pharmaceutical industry, where Merck/MSD has scrapped a £1 billion UK expansion and AstraZeneca has paused investment in a £200 million Cambridge facility while increasing US spending. A recent UK–US tariff deal allows zero US import taxes on UK drugs for three years, though it results in higher prices for medicines paid by the NHS; Walmsley described this as a positive step.
Despite the emphasis on the US market, GSK remains committed to manufacturing and research and development in the UK. However, the UK accounts for only about 2% of total company sales compared to more than 50% in the US.
Walmsley also noted health outcomes in the UK vary significantly by postcode, attributing disparities to factors like diet and education, and called for broader reforms to the food system. She contrasted the NHS and US private healthcare experiences, particularly in childbirth and follow-up care, emphasizing the need to balance cost, accessibility, and outcomes within the NHS.
Furthermore, Walmsley highlighted advances in health science driven by artificial intelligence but acknowledged a current high failure rate in projects. She stressed that increasing success rates could hasten medical innovation and improve healthcare delivery.
