GSK, Hengrui Sign $500M Drug Development Pact

GSK plc has entered into agreements with China-based biotechnology company Hengrui Pharma to develop up to 12 innovative medicines. The programs, which GSK will pay $500 million for, complement GSK’s Respiratory, Immunology & Inflammation (RI&I) and Oncology pipeline.

HRS-9821 Plus Eleven Other Programs

The agreements include an exclusive worldwide license (excluding mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) for a potential best-in-class, PDE3/4 inhibitor (HRS-9821) in clinical development for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as an add-on maintenance treatment, irrespective of background therapy.

HRS-9821 has demonstrated potent PDE3 and PDE4 inhibition, leading to increased bronchodilation and anti-inflammatory effects in early clinical and preclinical studies. In addition, HRS-9821 provides the opportunity for a convenient dry-powder inhaler (DPI) formulation that strategically fits GSK’s established inhaled portfolio. 

The agreements also include a pioneering scaled collaboration to generate up to 11 programs in addition to HRS-9821, each with its own financial structure. Hengrui Pharma will lead the development of these programs up to completion of phase I trials, including patients outside of China. GSK will have the exclusive option to further develop and commercialize each program worldwide (excluding mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan), at the end of phase I or earlier at GSK’s election, as well as certain program substitution rights.

Tony Wood, Chief Scientific Officer, GSK, said: “We’re delighted to announce these exciting agreements with Hengrui Pharma, which complement our already extensive pipeline. This deal reflects our strategic investment in programs that address validated targets, increasing the likelihood of success, and with the option to advance those assets with the greatest potential for patient impact.”

Frank Jiang, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of Hengrui Pharma, said: “This strategic collaboration with GSK marks yet another significant milestone in Hengrui’s globalization journey and our mission to innovate and deliver higher-quality, cutting-edge therapies for patients worldwide. GSK brings additional R&D expertise, a robust global clinical network, and broad regulatory capabilities that will accelerate our PDE3/4 inhibitor as well as an array of other innovative therapy programs to overseas markets, potentially delivering breakthrough treatments to patients globally.”

More Hengrui News

Earlier this year, Merck and Hengrui Pharma entered an exclusive license agreement for HRS-5346.