Merck, known as MSD outside the US and Canada, has signed an exclusive license agreement with Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals for HRS-5346.
HRS-5346 is an investigational oral small molecule Lipoprotein(a) inhibitor, currently being studied in Phase 2 clinical trials in China.
Under the terms of the agreement, Merck obtains the rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialise HRS-5346 worldwide, excluding the Greater China region.
Hengrui Pharma will receive an upfront payment of $200m and is eligible for milestone payments up to $1.77bn, linked to development, regulatory, and commercial achievements.
The Chinese drugmaker will also earn royalties on net sales of HRS-5346, if approved.
The transaction is anticipated to conclude in the second quarter of 2025, pending approval under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act and other customary conditions.
Merck Research Laboratories president Dean Li said: “Elevated blood concentrations of Lp(a) provides a well-documented risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, affecting as many as 1 in 5 adults globally.
“HRS-5346, an investigational oral small molecule inhibitor of Lp(a) formation, is an important addition that expands and complements our cardio-metabolic pipeline.”
HRS-5346 targets Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), a lipoprotein produced liver that carries cholesterol, fats, and proteins in the blood.
Its accumulation in blood vessel walls can lead to atherosclerotic plaques, potentially causing heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular diseases.
These conditions are significant risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Established in 1970, Hengrui Pharma is a pharmaceutical company focused on research, development, and commercialisation of medicines addressing unmet clinical needs.
The company has a global R&D team with 14 R&D centres and over 5,500 professionals.
Hengrui Pharma’s therapeutic focus areas include cardiovascular, metabolic, and oncological diseases, as well as immunological, respiratory, and neurological conditions.
Hengrui Pharma executive vice president and chief strategy officer Frank Jiang said: “We are pleased to partner with Merck, a global leader in cardiovascular care.
“We believe Merck’s clinical expertise and global scale will help accelerate the development of HRS-5346 and potentially provide more patients with an additional option to reduce their risk of atherosclerosis.”
In October 2023, Merck announced a strategic collaboration with Hengrui Pharma, which includes an exclusive global license to develop, manufacture and market HRS-1167.
