OMM Redaksiyası
Chinese drugmaker Hengrui Pharma has agreed to license global rights to its experimental weight-loss drug HRS-1596 to Denmark’s Novo Nordisk in a deal potentially worth up to $2.6 billion, according to a company statement issued Tuesday.
HRS-1596 is a Phase I-ready GLP-1/GIP dual receptor agonist designed for once-weekly oral dosing. Novo Nordisk will receive exclusive rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize the treatment worldwide, excluding mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.
Deal includes upfront payment and royalties
Hengrui will receive $300 million upfront and may be eligible for additional development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments. These could bring the total value of the agreement to $2.6 billion, while the Chinese company will also receive royalties on net sales.
The drug is designed to support weight loss and improve blood sugar control by suppressing appetite, stimulating insulin secretion and improving insulin sensitivity. Hengrui said it could be used to treat obesity, type 2 diabetes and other metabolic diseases.
HRS-1596 trials and regulatory status
Chinese authorities have approved Hengrui’s plans to begin Phase I clinical trials of HRS-1596 for weight management and type 2 diabetes.
Novo Nordisk, the maker of “Wegovy” and “Ozempic”, has been expanding its pipeline of oral treatments for obesity and other cardiometabolic diseases. The company’s “Wegovy” pill was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for weight management in 2025.
The agreement remains subject to US antitrust clearance and other customary conditions. It is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026.
