Pharmaceutical companies Hengrui and GSK join forces to accelerate the development of 12 cutting-edge medications in critical treatment sectors.
GSK and Hengrui Pharma Announce Strategic Collaboration to Develop 12 Promising New Drugs
In a significant move towards global innovation and drug development, GSK plc and Hengrui Pharma have announced a collaboration to jointly develop up to 12 innovative medicines targeting respiratory, immunology, inflammation, and oncology indications.
The collaboration, which includes the PDE3/4 inhibitor program HRS-9821, is expected to significantly advance Hengrui's globalization efforts and create new growth opportunities for GSK beyond the year 2031.
Under the terms of the agreements, GSK will pay $500 million in upfront fees. Upon completion, GSK will retain exclusive rights to further develop and commercialize each program globally, excluding mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. Hengrui will lead early-stage development through the completion of Phase I trials, including international patient cohorts outside of China.
The agreements feature a unique scaled collaboration to develop up to 11 more programs, each governed by its own financial and operational framework. This provides adaptability within the agreements, allowing for the substitution of programs as needed.
The new programs will complement GSK's current pipeline in Respiratory, Immunology & Inflammation (RI&I), and Oncology, as earlier mentioned. HRS-9821, intended as an add-on maintenance therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is designed to benefit patients regardless of their current treatment.
Tony Wood, GSK’s Chief Scientific Officer, emphasized the focus on validated targets with high potential for patient impact. Frank Jiang, Hengrui’s EVP and Chief Strategy Officer, highlighted the collaboration as a key step in Hengrui’s globalization and innovation mission.
The specifics of the financial arrangements for the additional programs are not detailed in this paragraph. However, it is worth noting that Hengrui could earn up to $12 billion in total milestone payments and royalties if GSK exercises options for all programs and milestones are hit.
The deal is among the largest licensing collaborations in 2025, reflecting both companies' priorities on innovation and global reach. With Hengrui's expertise in drug discovery and development and GSK's global R&D, clinical network, and regulatory capabilities, the collaboration aims to accelerate international development of innovative therapies.
The compound offers the potential for a user-friendly dry-powder inhaler (DPI) formulation, which could significantly improve patient compliance and outcomes. This deal is a testament to both companies' commitment to advancing healthcare and bringing new treatments to patients worldwide.
[1] GSK plc Press Release. (2025, July 27-28). GSK and Hengrui Pharma announce strategic collaboration for up to 12 innovative medicines. Retrieved from https://www.gsk.com/en-gb/media/press-releases/gsk-and-hengrui-pharma-announce-strategic-collaboration-for-up-to-12-innovative-medicines/
[2] Hengrui Pharma Press Release. (2025, July 27-28). Hengrui Pharma and GSK plc enter into strategic agreements to jointly develop up to 12 innovative medicines. Retrieved from https://www.hengrui.com/en/news/news-detail/20250727-115243.html
[3] BioPharma Dive. (2025, July 28). GSK and Hengrui Pharma team up on up to 12 drug candidates. Retrieved from https://www.biopharmadive.com/news/gsk-hengrui-pharma-collaboration/614887/
[4] FiercePharma. (2025, July 28). GSK, Hengrui Pharma team up on $12B potential-value collaboration for up to 12 new drugs. Retrieved from https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/gsk-hengrui-pharma-team-up-on-12b-potential-value-collaboration-for-up-to-12-new-drugs
- Science and medical-conditions intersect in the development of the 12 promising new drugs, as GSK and Hengrui Pharma's collaboration focuses on respiratory, immunology, inflammation, and oncology indications.
- For businesses and finance, this strategic partnership represents a significant investment opportunity, with Hengrui potentially earning up to $12 billion in total milestone payments and royalties.
- The collaboration's aim to accelerate the international development of innovative therapies aligns with the broader health-and-wellness goal of bringing new treatments to patients worldwide.
