Novo Nordisk to license experimental GLP-1 pill from China's Hengrui
NVO•Novo Nordisk will pay Hengrui $300 million upfront for rights to its experimental GLP-1 pill, HRS-1596, and Hengrui could receive up to $2.3 billion in milestone payments.
1. Deal terms
Novo Nordisk will receive development, manufacturing and commercialisation rights to HRS-1596 outside Taiwan, Macao, Hong Kong and mainland China. Hengrui said the pill is approved in China to initiate Phase I clinical trials for weight management and type 2 diabetes.
2. Potential weekly dosing
Novo said HRS-1596 could be developed as an oral drug taken once a week, which it said would “substantially reduce dosing frequency and improve convenience compared with current offerings.” Novo plans global trials but did not provide a timeline.
