Profit after tax rose around 7% from the same period last year to £1.7 billion, GSK said in a results statement.

Revenue increased 2% to £7.6 billion.

“GSK has made a strong start to 2026, with good performance from our key growth drivers,” said chief executive Luke Miels, who took over from Emma Walmsley at the start of the year.

The quarterly results were lifted by 23% growth in its cancer medicine sales.

GSK said it expects revenue growth of between 3% and 5% in 2026 and is targeting annual sales of more than £40 billion by 2031.

The pharmaceutical industry has faced turbulence from US President Donald Trump’s tariff threats last year, aimed at encouraging investment in the US and reducing drug prices.

GSK, along with several other pharmaceutical giants, agreed in December to lower the cost of its prescription medicines for American patients, in exchange for tariff exemptions for three years.