Merck Acquires Rights to HS-10535, a Chinese GLP-1 Receptor Agonist, in $2 Billion Deal with Hansoh Pharma

Dec 18, 2024, 11:58 AM

Merck & Co. Inc. has entered into an exclusive global license agreement with Hansoh Pharma, a Chinese biopharmaceutical company, to develop, manufacture, and commercialize HS-10535, an investigational preclinical oral small molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist. The agreement includes an upfront payment of $112 million to Hansoh Pharma, with the potential for up to $1.9 billion in milestone payments related to the development, regulatory approval, and commercialization of the drug, along with royalties on sales. Merck aims to leverage this agreement to enhance its pipeline and explore the potential of HS-10535 to provide cardiometabolic benefits beyond weight reduction. Hansoh Pharma may co-promote or solely commercialize the drug in China under certain conditions.