GSK has announced that it will be strengthening its respiratory, immunology and inflammation (RI&I) and oncology pipeline through a $12bn deal with Hengrui Pharma.
The agreement covers up to 12 medicines, including an exclusive global licence (excluding mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) for a PDE3/4 inhibitor in clinical development for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Approximately 1.4 million people in the UK have been diagnosed with COPD, a chronic respiratory disease that causes progressive lung function decline and results in symptoms such as persistent cough, excessive mucus production and a shortness of breath.
Hengrui’s candidate, HRS-9821, is being evaluated as an add-on maintenance treatment for COPD, regardless of background therapy, and has already been associated with increased bronchodilation and anti-inflammatory effects in early clinical and preclinical studies.
Alongside HRS-9821, the companies will aim to generate up to 11 programmes, with Hengrui leading development up to the completion of phase 1 trials. GSK will then have the exclusive option to further develop and commercialise each programme worldwide (excluding mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan), as well as certain programme substitution rights.
In exchange, Hengrui will receive $500m in upfront fees and will be eligible for approximately $12bn in development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments, as well as tiered royalties on global product net sales.
GSK’s chief scientific officer, Tony Wood, 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 programmes that address validated targets, increasing the likelihood of success, and with the option to advance those assets with the greatest potential for patient impact.”
Also commenting on the collaboration agreement, Frank Jiang, executive vice president and chief strategy officer of Hengrui Pharma, said: “GSK brings additional research and development 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 programmes to overseas markets, potentially delivering breakthrough treatments to patients globally.”