FTSE 100 news / Companies and sectors / Pharma and healthcare / 13 October 2026
Pharma and healthcare: sector news on Tuesday 13 October 2026
Average tone +3.1 (positive) across 5 companies with relevant coverage, from 51 stories.
Company by company
| Company | Tone | Stories | What the coverage was about |
|---|---|---|---|
| AstraZeneca | +1.7 | 23 | Coverage was split between the failed Phase III efzimfotase alfa trial in hypophosphatasia, which weighed on tone, and positive items such as the Summit investment, a new US R&D centre, Citi's peak sales view and COPD data. |
| GSK | +7.2 | 16 | Coverage was dominated by GSK's $800 million Pennsylvania biomanufacturing and R&D expansion, alongside an expanded AI drug discovery deal with Chai Discovery. |
| Haleon | +2.3 | 7 | Coverage mixed a run of share price gains and several brand campaigns for Excedrin and Robitussin with a UBS view that Haleon may dial back its FY26 growth target. |
| Smith & Nephew | +1.7 | 3 | Coverage was mixed: the Xodus Medical acquisition to broaden its portfolio was positive, while analysts trimmed their price target and commentary asked whether the shares can rebound ahead of the next trading update. |
| Convatec | +2.5 | 2 | Coverage was light and mostly about Convatec's share price and its recovery story. |
Strongest stories in the sector
- −9.2 AstraZeneca’s efzimfotase alfa fails in adult and adolescent HPP trial
Drug failed in adult and adolescent HPP trial. - +9.2 Positive clinical profile of AstraZeneca’s tozorakimab in COPD
Positive clinical profile for tozorakimab in COPD. - +8.7 GSK to invest $800M for new R&D, manufacturing hub in Pennsylvania
New R&D and manufacturing hub backed by $800M. - +8.7 Smith & Nephew Acquires Xodus Medical to Enhance Product Portfol
Acquisition of Xodus Medical expands product portfolio. - +8.3 AstraZeneca's efzimfotase alfa adult data point to $4.4bn peak sales potential, says Citi
Citi sees $4.4bn peak sales potential. - −8.3 AstraZeneca’s HICKORY Trial Fails Primary Endpoint Due to Design Mismatch
Trial failed primary endpoint, though framed as design issue. - +8.3 GSK commits $800M to Pennsylvania biomanufacturing expansion
$800M biomanufacturing commitment signals growth investment. - +8.3 GSK to Invest $800M+ in Pennsylvania Expansion
$800M+ Pennsylvania expansion reported. - +8.3 GSK pledges $800M to add biologics production capabilities in Pennsylvania
Biologics production capability added via $800M pledge. - +8.3 Over $800 million investment from GSK to expand operations in Pennsylvania
Over $800M investment to expand operations. - +8.3 Pharma Giant GSK To Expand In Upper Merion, Investing $800 Million
$800M Upper Merion expansion is positive investment news. - +7.5 AstraZeneca opens new global strategic R&D centre in US
New global strategic R&D centre opened in US.
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