Hengrui Pharma has entered into a licensing agreement with Novo Nordisk for HRS-1596, a phase I-ready glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) and gastric inhibitory polypeptide receptor (GIPR) dual agonist with potential for once-weekly oral dosing, in a deal valued at up to 2.6 billion US dollars.
Agreement Structure and Financial Terms
Under the terms of the GLP-1 license deal, Novo Nordisk will obtain exclusive rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialise HRS-1596 globally, excluding the Chinese mainland, the Hong Kong SAR, the Macao SAR, and Taiwan Region. The agreement includes a 300 million US dollar upfront payment, with the remaining value contingent on the achievement of applicable development, regulatory, and commercial milestones. Hengrui Pharma is also eligible to receive royalties based on net sales of HRS-1596 within the licensed territory.
The transaction is subject to clearance under the US Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions, with the deal expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026.
HRS-1596: Mechanism and Clinical Potential
HRS-1596 is designed to reduce weight and improve glycemic control through multiple mechanisms, including appetite suppression, stimulation of insulin secretion, and improved insulin sensitivity. These properties support its potential use in obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic diseases. The compound’s capacity for once-weekly oral administration holds the potential to substantially reduce dosing frequency and improve patient convenience compared with current treatment options available in the market.
Hengrui Pharma has already received regulatory approval in China to initiate phase I clinical trials with HRS-1596 for weight management and type 2 diabetes.
Statements from Leadership
Frank Jiang, MD, PhD, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of Hengrui Pharma, highlighted the company’s focus on metabolic diseases: “We are committed to continuous innovation, bringing better treatments to patients. HRS-1596 reflects this commitment in metabolic diseases, with the potential to offer the convenience of once-weekly oral administration. This collaboration brings together Hengrui’s innovation strengths and Novo’s global leadership in GLP-1 therapies and obesity care. Together, we aim to advance this innovative therapy for patients worldwide.”
Martin Holst Lange, MD, PhD, Executive Vice President, Research and Development and Chief Scientific Officer at Novo Nordisk, commented on the broader context of the partnership: “Novo has pioneered the field of oral peptides and as leaders, we continuously look to advance our broad and deep oral pipeline across obesity, diabetes and other cardiometabolic diseases through our strong internal capabilities and leading external innovation. Hengrui Pharma has a proven track record of discovering and advancing innovative therapies with the patients in the center, and we are excited to add HRS-1596 to our growing pipeline and to explore its potential to raise the bar for convenience in the field.”
Strategic Significance for Both Companies
The collaboration brings together Hengrui Pharma’s drug discovery capabilities and Novo Nordisk’s established global leadership in GLP-1 therapies and obesity care. The oral dual agonist HRS-1596 represents a meaningful addition to Novo Nordisk’s oral pipeline spanning obesity, diabetes, and cardiometabolic diseases, while Hengrui Pharma retains its rights within Greater China. This GLP-1 license deal underscores growing global interest in next-generation oral peptide therapeutics that address both weight management and metabolic disease with greater convenience.
