Shingles drug thumbs up is boost for GSK

GLAXOSMITHKLINE’S breakthrough shingles vaccine has been backed by a European medicines panel, paving the way for approval by regulators.

Shingrix is seen as a potential blockbuster by the pharmaceuticals giant, with analysts predicting it could reel in as much as £750m annually.

It prevents shingles in adults aged 50 and over, with tests finding it is more effective than existing products on the market. Yesterday GSK said that it had won the support of a European Medicines Agency committee, one of the final steps before it is expected to gain full approval from the European Commission in April.

The medicine has been described by GSK boss Emma Walmsley as one of the FTSE 100 firm’s flagship new drugs.