Merck Reaches Licensing Agreement with Jiangsu Hengrui for Novel Heart Disease Drug
Under terms of the deal, Merck will gain global rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize HRS-5346 for cardiovascular disease, excluding Greater China.
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Merck has entered an exclusive licensing agreement with Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals for HRS-5346, an investigational oral small molecule inhibitor of lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]), a key risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Under the terms of the agreement, Hengrui will receive an upfront payment of $200 million, with potential milestone payments of up to $1.77 billion, plus royalties on future sales. In return, Merck will gain global development, manufacturing, and commercialization rights for HRS-5346, excluding mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. The drug is currently in a Phase II clinical trial in China.1
“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,” said Dean Y. Li, president, Merck Research Laboratories, in a press release. “HRS-5346, an investigational oral small molecule inhibitor of Lp(a) formation, is an important addition that expands and complements our cardio-metabolic pipeline.”
The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2025 pending approval under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act and other customary conditions. It is projected the acquisition will result in a $200 million pre-tax charge for Merck upon completion.1
“We are pleased to partner with Merck, a global leader in cardiovascular care,” said Frank Jiang, EVP, chief strategy officer, Hengrui Pharma, in the press release. “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.”
Reference
Merck Enters Exclusive License Agreement for HRS-5346, an Investigational Oral Lipoprotein(a) Inhibitor, for Cardiovascular Disease from Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. Merck. March 25, 2025. Accessed March 25, 2025. https://www.merck.com/news/merck-enters-exclusive-license-agreement-for-hrs-5346-an-investigational-oral-lipoproteina-inhibitor-for-cardiovascular-disease-from-jiangsu-hengrui-pharmaceuticals-co-ltd/
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