HQ Team
July 28, 2025: Britain’s GSK Plc will pay Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals $500 million upfront to acquire global licensing rights for the Chinese company’s 12 potential medicines.
These medicines are in various stages of development across the respiratory, immunology and inflammation segments, according to a GSK statement.
The agreements include an exclusive worldwide license (excluding mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) for a type of drug called PDE3/4 inhibitor or HRS-9821 in clinical development for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
This medicine can open the airways and reduce lung inflammation at the same time. It is used to treat breathing problems like asthma and COPD.
Airway muscles, swelling
A PDE3/4 inhibitor is a medicine that blocks two enzymes called PDE3 and PDE4. These enzymes usually break down a helpful messenger in the body called cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), a molecule that helps regulate various cellular functions.
Blocking PDE3 helps relax the muscles in the airways, making it easier to breathe, while stopping PDE4 helps reduce inflammation — swelling, and irritation — in the lungs.
A PDE3/4 inhibitor is a type of drug that blocks the activity of two specific enzymes called phosphodiesterase 3 (PDE3) and phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4). These enzymes normally degrade.
The addition of HRS-9821 supports GSK’s focus to treat patients across the widest spectrum of COPD by including those who face continued dyspnoea (shortness of breath) or who are unlikely to receive inhaled corticosteroids or biologics, based on their disease profile.
Pre-clinical studies
HRS-9821 has increased bronchodilation and anti-inflammatory effects in early clinical and preclinical studies, according to the statement.
The medicine provides an opportunity for a convenient dry-powder inhaler formulation that strategically fits GSK’s established inhaled portfolio, the London-based GSK stated.
Hengrui Pharma will lead the development of these programmes up to the completion of early trials, including patients outside of China.
GSK will have the exclusive option to further develop and commercialise each programme 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 programme substitution rights.
$12 billion potential
“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,” said Tony Wood, Chief Scientific Officer.
Frank Jiang, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of Hengrui Pharma, said the agreements would help deliver “breakthrough treatments to patients globally.”
The potential total value of future success-based development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments to Hengrui Pharma is approximately $12 billion if all programmes are optioned and all milestones are achieved, according to the statement.
