GSK and Hengrui Pharma Collaborate on Drug Development

GSK announced on July 28, 2025, that it has entered into agreements with Hengrui Pharma to develop treatments for respiratory, immunology, and inflammation conditions, and new therapies for GSK’s oncology pipeline. The agreement includes a license for a potential best-in-class PDE3/4 inhibitor for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 11 programs that Hengrui Pharma will develop, and GSK will option, following Phase I completion.

New COPD maintenance treatment part of the agreement

The exclusive worldwide license (excluding mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan) for Hengrui’s COPD treatment, HRS-9821, gives GSK the potential to add a convenient dry-powder formulation to the company’s inhaled medicine portfolio. HRS-9821, according to GSK, is in development as an add-on maintenance treatment for COPD and has demonstrated potent PDE3 and PDE4 inhibition in early clinical and preclinical studies. The license to HRS-9821 is dependent on applicable regulatory agency clearances under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act in the United States.

“The addition of HRS-9821 supports GSK’s ambition to treat patients across the widest spectrum of COPD by including those who face continued dyspnea (shortness of breath) or who are unlikely to receive inhaled corticosteroids or biologics, based on their disease profile,” the company stated in a press release (1).

Other potential treatments in development

The other 11 programs included in the collaboration will have their development led by Hengrui Pharma to completion of Phase I trials, including patients outside of China. GSK will then have the option to further develop and commercialize the programs worldwide (excluding mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan) and certain program substitution rights.

"We're delighted to announce these exciting agreements with Hengrui Pharma which complement our already-extensive pipeline,” Tony Wood, chief scientific officer, GSK said in the press release. “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.”

"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,” Frank Jiang, executive vice president and chief strategy officer of Hengrui Pharma, said in the release. “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."

Upfront fees totaling $500 million across the agreements will be paid by GSK to Hengrui Pharma as part of the deal. If all programs are optioned by GSK and all milestones are achieved, Hengrui Pharma could potentially receive up to approximately $12 billion as part of the collaboration.

New option in Shingrix administration

In other recent GSK news, on July 17, 2025, FDA approved the company’s prefilled syringe version of Shingrix recombinant zoster vaccine used to prevent shingles (2). The previous formulation required clinicians to combine a lyophilized antigen with a liquid adjuvant. The version features easier preparation and reduces risk of handling errors.

“The prefilled syringe presentation of GSK’s shingles vaccine is good news, providing a convenient method of administration,” Brigid Groves, vice president of professional affairs at the American Pharmacists Association, said at the time in a press release (2). “FDA approval is a positive step toward driving prevention of this painful disease, and as a practicing pharmacist I welcome the availability of this new presentation.”

References

1. GSK. GSK and Hengrui Pharma Enter Agreements to Develop Up to 12 Innovative Medicines Across Respiratory, Immunology & Inflammation, and Oncology. Press Release. July 28, 2025. https://www.gsk.com/en-gb/media/press-releases/gsk-and-hengrui-pharma-enter-agreements/
2. GSK. US FDA Approves GSK’s Shingrix in a Prefilled Syringe Presentation. Press Release. July 17, 2025.