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China fast-tracks review of GSK (NYSE: GSK) drug for PBC-related itching

Filing Impact
(Neutral)
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Form Type
6-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

GSK reports that China’s National Medical Products Administration has accepted its new drug application for linerixibat for priority review to treat cholestatic pruritus in adults with primary biliary cholangitis, a rare autoimmune liver disease.

The submission is based on the positive phase III GLISTEN trial, where linerixibat showed rapid, significant and sustained improvement in cholestatic pruritus and itch-related sleep interference versus placebo, with a safety profile consistent with earlier studies and its IBAT-inhibitor mechanism. In China, primary biliary cholangitis affects about 280,000 people, and cholestatic pruritus can impact up to 89% of patients over the course of their disease, with few effective treatment options. Linerixibat has Orphan Drug Designation in the US, EU and Japan, and marketing applications are under review in the US, EU, UK and Canada, but it is not yet approved anywhere.

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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
Form 6-K
 
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
 
For the month of February 2026
 
Commission File Number 001-15170
 
 
GSK plc
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
 
 
79 New Oxford Street, London, WC1A 1DG
(Address of principal executive office)
 
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
 
Form 20-F . . . .X. . . . Form 40-F . . . . . . . .
 
 
Issued: 26 February 2026, London UK
 
Linerixibat accepted for priority review in China for cholestatic pruritus in patients with primary biliary cholangitis
 
●     Submission based on data from positive GLISTEN phase III trial
●     Linerixibat demonstrated significant and sustained improvement in cholestatic pruritus versus placebo
●     Regulatory reviews underway in US, EU, UK and Canada

 
GSK plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) today announced that its new drug application for the use of linerixibat for the treatment of cholestatic pruritus in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), a rare autoimmune liver disease, has been accepted for priority review by China's National Medical Products Administration. Linerixibat is an investigational inhibitor of the ileal bile acid transporter (IBAT), developed to reduce mediators of cholestatic pruritus - an internal and relentless itch.
 
The application is based on positive data from the GLISTEN phase III trial, presented last year at the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) Congress.1 GLISTEN met both primary and key secondary endpoints demonstrating a rapid, significant and sustained improvement in cholestatic pruritus and itch-related sleep interference versus placebo. The safety profile of linerixibat was consistent with previous studies and the mechanism of IBAT inhibition.2
 
Cholestatic pruritus in PBC is a serious and debilitating condition, with patients experiencing sleep disturbance and impaired quality of life and sometimes requiring liver transplant in the absence of liver failure.3,4,5  In China, approximately 280,000 people are affected by PBC, and cholestatic pruritus, for which there are few effective treatment options, is estimated to impact up to 89% of PBC patients during the course of their disease.3, 6-9
 
Linerixibat has also been granted Orphan Drug Designation in the US, EU and Japan for the treatment of cholestatic pruritus in patients with PBC. Marketing applications for linerixibat are currently under Health Authority review in the US, EU, UK and Canada. Linerixibat is currently not approved anywhere in the world.
 
About linerixibat
Linerixibat is an IBAT inhibitor, a targeted oral agent to treat cholestatic pruritus associated with the rare autoimmune liver disease PBC.2 By inhibiting bile acid re-uptake, linerixibat reduces multiple mediators of pruritus in circulation.10  
 
About GSK research in hepatology
GSK is extending its expertise in inflammation to develop a next wave of innovation for the millions of people affected by chronic and life-threatening fibro-inflammatory liver conditions. Harnessing the science of the immune system and advanced technologies, GSK is committed to advancing its hepatology pipeline with potential therapies for chronic hepatitis B and steatotic liver disease (SLD), including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD).
 
 
About GSK
GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together. Find out more at www.gsk.com.
 
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Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements
GSK cautions investors that any forward-looking statements or projections made by GSK, including those made in this announcement, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such factors include, but are not limited to, those described in the "Risk Factors" section in GSK's Annual Report on Form 20-F for 2024, and GSK's Q4 Results for 2025.
 
 
Registered in England & Wales:
No. 3888792
 
 
Registered Office:
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References
1.     Hirschfield GM, et al. J Hepatol. 2025; 82(S1); S4-5. doi: 10.1016/S0168-8278(25)00303-4
2.     Hirschfield GM, et al. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2026; 11(1): 22-33. doi: 10.1016/S2468-1253(25)00192-X
3.     Mayo MJ, et al. Dig Dis Sci. 2023;68:995-1005. doi: 10.1007/s10620-022-07581-x
4.     Smith HT, et al. Hepatol Commun. 2025; 9(3):e0635. doi: 10.1097/HC9.0000000000000635
5.     Lindor KD, et al. Hepatol. 2019;69(1):394-419. doi: 10.1002/hep.30145
6.     Zeng N, et al. Hepatol Int. 2019;13(6):788-99. doi: 10.1007/s12072-019-09984-x
7.     Hegade VS, et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2019;17(7):1379-87. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2018.12.00
8.     de Veer RC, et al. Hepatol Res. 2023;53:401-8. doi: 10.1111/hepr.13880
9.     Gungabissoon U, et al. BMJ Open Gastroenterol. 2024;11;e001287. doi: 10.1136/bmjgast-2023-001287
10.    Kremer A, et al. Hepatol. 2025; 82(S1); S204. doi: 10.1097/HEP.0000000000001493
 
 
SIGNATURES
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorised.
 
GSK plc
 
(Registrant)
 
 
Date: February 26, 2026
 
 
 
 
By:/s/ VICTORIA WHYTE
--------------------------
 
 
 
Victoria Whyte
 
Authorised Signatory for and on
 
behalf of GSK plc

FAQ

What did GSK (GSK) announce about linerixibat in China?

GSK announced that China’s National Medical Products Administration accepted linerixibat’s new drug application for priority review. The drug targets cholestatic pruritus in adults with primary biliary cholangitis, supported by positive phase III GLISTEN trial results showing significant and sustained itch improvement versus placebo.

What condition is linerixibat intended to treat for GSK (GSK)?

Linerixibat is intended to treat cholestatic pruritus in patients with primary biliary cholangitis, a rare autoimmune liver disease. This severe itching causes sleep disturbance and impaired quality of life, and in some cases contributes to patients ultimately requiring liver transplantation despite no liver failure.

How large is the primary biliary cholangitis population in China mentioned by GSK (GSK)?

GSK notes that approximately 280,000 people in China are affected by primary biliary cholangitis. Cholestatic pruritus is estimated to impact up to 89% of these patients during their disease course, highlighting a substantial population with limited effective treatment options for this debilitating symptom.

What were the key GLISTEN phase III results cited by GSK (GSK)?

The GLISTEN phase III trial met its primary and key secondary endpoints, showing rapid, significant and sustained improvement in cholestatic pruritus and itch-related sleep interference versus placebo. GSK also reports that linerixibat’s safety profile matched prior studies and aligned with its IBAT inhibition mechanism.

Is GSK’s linerixibat approved anywhere yet?

Linerixibat is not approved anywhere in the world at this time. It has received Orphan Drug Designation in the US, EU and Japan for cholestatic pruritus in primary biliary cholangitis, and marketing applications are under health authority review in the US, EU, UK and Canada.

What type of drug is linerixibat according to GSK (GSK)?

GSK describes linerixibat as an oral inhibitor of the ileal bile acid transporter (IBAT), designed to reduce mediators of cholestatic pruritus. By blocking bile acid re-uptake in the gut, it aims to lower circulating itch mediators in patients with primary biliary cholangitis.
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