LONDON: GSK plc announced Monday that it has entered into agreements with China-based Hengrui Pharma to co-develop up to 12 innovative medicines spanning respiratory, immunology, inflammation and oncology indications, marking a major expansion of the British pharmaceutical giant’s pipeline beyond 2031.
The collaboration includes an exclusive license for HRS-9821, a potential best-in-class PDE3/4 inhibitor in clinical development for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). GSK will pay $500 million in upfront fees across the agreements, with potential milestone payments reaching up to $12 billion.
HRS-9821 is designed as an add-on COPD maintenance treatment and has shown promising bronchodilatory and anti-inflammatory activity in preclinical and early clinical data. GSK said the dry-powder inhaler formulation complements its existing inhaled portfolio and broadens its approach to COPD management.
“This deal reflects our strategic investment in programs that address validated targets,” said Tony Wood, chief scientific officer of GSK. “It expands our pipeline with assets that have the greatest potential for patient impact.”
The agreements also give GSK exclusive options to develop and commercialize up to 11 additional programs following completion of phase I trials. Hengrui will lead phase I development globally, excluding mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.
“This collaboration is a milestone in Hengrui’s globalization journey,” said Frank Jiang, executive vice president and chief strategy officer of Hengrui Pharma. “GSK’s R&D expertise and clinical network will accelerate breakthrough therapies worldwide.”
The deal is subject to regulatory approvals, including clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act in the United States.