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[6-K] GSK plc American Current Report (Foreign Issuer)

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(Low)
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Form Type
6-K
Rhea-AI Filing Summary

GSK has filed a Form 6-K announcing wide-ranging R&D agreements with China-based Hengrui Pharma.

Key terms:

  • Exclusive ex-China licence for inhaled PDE3/4 inhibitor HRS-9821, now in clinical development for COPD as an add-on maintenance therapy.
  • Framework to option up to 11 additional Respiratory, Immunology & Inflammation and Oncology programmes after phase I completion.
  • Up-front payment: $500 m; potential success-based milestones of ~$12 bn plus tiered global royalties (ex-China).
  • Hengrui funds and runs discovery through phase I; GSK controls later-stage development and worldwide commercialisation outside mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.

Strategic rationale: complements GSK’s inhaled portfolio, extends pipeline visibility beyond 2031, and limits near-term cash burn while preserving global scale-up rights. Licence for HRS-9821 requires customary HSR antitrust clearance.

GSK ha presentato un modulo 6-K annunciando accordi di ricerca e sviluppo di ampia portata con la cinese Hengrui Pharma.

Termini principali:

  • Licenza esclusiva fuori dalla Cina per l'inibitore inalato PDE3/4 HRS-9821, attualmente in fase clinica per la BPCO come terapia di mantenimento aggiuntiva.
  • Quadro per opzionare fino a 11 programmi aggiuntivi nei settori Respiratorio, Immunologia & Infiammazione e Oncologia dopo il completamento della fase I.
  • Pagamento iniziale: 500 milioni di dollari; potenziali milestone basate sul successo di circa 12 miliardi di dollari più royalties globali a scaglioni (esclusa la Cina).
  • Hengrui finanzia e gestisce la scoperta fino alla fase I; GSK controlla lo sviluppo nelle fasi successive e la commercializzazione mondiale fuori dalla Cina continentale, Hong Kong, Macao e Taiwan.

Ragioni strategiche: completa il portafoglio inalatorio di GSK, estende la visibilità della pipeline oltre il 2031 e limita il consumo di cassa a breve termine preservando i diritti di espansione globale. La licenza per HRS-9821 richiede l'approvazione antitrust consueta dell'HSR.

GSK ha presentado un Formulario 6-K anunciando acuerdos amplios de I+D con la empresa china Hengrui Pharma.

Términos clave:

  • Licencia exclusiva fuera de China para el inhibidor inhalado PDE3/4 HRS-9821, actualmente en desarrollo clínico para EPOC como terapia de mantenimiento adicional.
  • Marco para optar a hasta 11 programas adicionales en Respiratorio, Inmunología & Inflamación y Oncología tras la finalización de la fase I.
  • Pago inicial: 500 millones de dólares; posibles hitos basados en el éxito de aproximadamente 12 mil millones de dólares más regalías globales escalonadas (excluyendo China).
  • Hengrui financia y dirige el descubrimiento hasta la fase I; GSK controla el desarrollo en etapas posteriores y la comercialización mundial fuera de China continental, Hong Kong, Macao y Taiwán.

Razonamiento estratégico: complementa la cartera inhalada de GSK, amplía la visibilidad de la cartera más allá de 2031 y limita el gasto de efectivo a corto plazo mientras preserva los derechos de expansión global. La licencia para HRS-9821 requiere la aprobación antimonopolio habitual del HSR.

GSK� 중국 기반� Hengrui Pharma와 광범위한 연구개발 계약� 발표하는 Form 6-K� 제출했습니다.

주요 조건:

  • 만성폐쇄성폐질환(COPD) 보조 유지 치료제로 현재 임상 개발 중인 흡입� PDE3/4 억제� HRS-9821� 대� 중국 제외 독점 라이선스.
  • 1� 완료 � 최대 11개의 추가 호흡�, 면역 � 염증, 종양 프로그램 선택 옵션 프레임워�.
  • 선급�: 5� 달러; 성공 기반 마일스톤 최대 � 120� 달러 � 단계� 글로벌 로열�(중국 제외).
  • Hengrui가 발견부� 1상까지 자금 지� � 운영; GSK� 중국 본토, 홍콩, 마카�, 대� 제외 � 세계 후속 개발 � 상업� 관�.

전략� 이유: GSK� 흡입� 포트폴리오를 보완하고, 2031� 이후까지 파이프라� 가시성� 확장하며, 단기 현금 소모� 제한하면� 글로벌 확장 권리� 유지합니�. HRS-9821 라이선스� 일반적인 HSR 독점 금지 승인 필요합니�.

GSK a déposé un formulaire 6-K annonçant des accords de R&D étendus avec la société chinoise Hengrui Pharma.

Principaux termes :

  • Licence exclusive hors Chine pour l'inhibiteur inhalé PDE3/4 HRS-9821, actuellement en développement clinique pour la BPCO en thérapie d'entretien additionnelle.
  • Cadre permettant d'opter pour jusqu'à 11 programmes supplémentaires en Respiratoire, Immunologie & Inflammation et Oncologie après la phase I.
  • Paiement initial : 500 millions de dollars ; jalons potentiels basés sur le succès d'environ 12 milliards de dollars plus des redevances mondiales échelonnées (hors Chine).
  • Hengrui finance et conduit la découverte jusqu'à la phase I ; GSK contrôle le développement ultérieur et la commercialisation mondiale hors Chine continentale, Hong Kong, Macao et Taïwan.

Justification stratégique : complète le portefeuille inhalé de GSK, étend la visibilité du pipeline au-delà de 2031 et limite la consommation de trésorerie à court terme tout en préservant les droits d'expansion mondiale. La licence pour HRS-9821 nécessite l'approbation antitrust habituelle du HSR.

GSK hat ein Formular 6-K eingereicht, in dem weitreichende F&E-Vereinbarungen mit dem chinesischen Unternehmen Hengrui Pharma angekündigt werden.

Wichtige Bedingungen:

  • Exklusive Lizenz außerhalb Chinas für den inhalierten PDE3/4-Inhibitor HRS-9821, der sich derzeit in der klinischen Entwicklung als Zusatz-Erhaltungstherapie bei COPD befindet.
  • Rahmenvereinbarung zur Option von bis zu 11 weiteren Programmen in den Bereichen Atmung, Immunologie & Entzündung sowie Onkologie nach Abschluss der Phase I.
  • Vorauszahlung: 500 Mio. USD; potenzielle erfolgsabhängige Meilensteine von ca. 12 Mrd. USD plus gestaffelte weltweite Lizenzgebühren (ex-China).
  • Hengrui finanziert und führt die Entdeckung bis Phase I durch; GSK kontrolliert die spätere Entwicklung und weltweite Kommerzialisierung außerhalb des chinesischen Festlands, Hongkong, Macau und Taiwan.

Strategische Begründung: Ergänzt GSKs inhalatives Portfolio, erweitert die Pipeline-Sichtbarkeit über 2031 hinaus und begrenzt kurzfristigen Cash-Burn bei gleichzeitiger Wahrung der globalen Ausbau-Rechte. Die Lizenz für HRS-9821 erfordert die übliche HSR-Kartellfreigabe.

Positive
  • $500 m upfront secures access to 12 potential assets, limiting near-term cash impact.
  • Adds best-in-class PDE3/4 inhibitor, reinforcing GSK’s leadership in inhaled respiratory therapies.
  • Option structure provides 11 additional shots on goal, diversifying late-decade pipeline.
  • Milestone payments are success-based, aligning cash outflows with de-risked value creation.
Negative
  • Up to $12 bn in future milestones could pressure margins if many programmes advance.
  • Assets are early-stage; clinical failure risk remains high.
  • Licence excludes greater-China markets, limiting revenue potential.
  • HRS-9821 closing is subject to HSR antitrust clearance, introducing regulatory timing risk.

Insights

TL;DR: Deal expands GSK pipeline with limited upfront cash, boosting long-term optionality; execution and milestone burden remain key risks.

The $500 m outlay secures rights to a clinically-validated COPD asset plus 11 early-stage programmes—an attractive risk-adjusted entry cost. Potential milestones of $12 bn are back-ended, aligning payments with de-risking. GSK strengthens its respiratory dominance and gains oncology shots on goal, potentially smoothing revenue after Advair/Breo erosion. Ex-China carve-out avoids fierce domestic pricing pressure but caps total addressable market. Overall impact: positive, yet contingent on proof-of-concept read-outs.

TL;DR: Structure mirrors ‘option-to-license� trend, shifting early risk to seller while preserving buyer’s global upside.

GSK leverages Hengrui’s discovery engine and low-cost development capacity, accelerating portfolio build-out without dilutive M&A. The option mechanism gives GSK substitution rights, increasing strategic flexibility. However, headline $12 bn milestones could weigh on future margin optics if multiple assets succeed, and HSR review adds timing uncertainty for HRS-9821 launch.

GSK ha presentato un modulo 6-K annunciando accordi di ricerca e sviluppo di ampia portata con la cinese Hengrui Pharma.

Termini principali:

  • Licenza esclusiva fuori dalla Cina per l'inibitore inalato PDE3/4 HRS-9821, attualmente in fase clinica per la BPCO come terapia di mantenimento aggiuntiva.
  • Quadro per opzionare fino a 11 programmi aggiuntivi nei settori Respiratorio, Immunologia & Infiammazione e Oncologia dopo il completamento della fase I.
  • Pagamento iniziale: 500 milioni di dollari; potenziali milestone basate sul successo di circa 12 miliardi di dollari più royalties globali a scaglioni (esclusa la Cina).
  • Hengrui finanzia e gestisce la scoperta fino alla fase I; GSK controlla lo sviluppo nelle fasi successive e la commercializzazione mondiale fuori dalla Cina continentale, Hong Kong, Macao e Taiwan.

Ragioni strategiche: completa il portafoglio inalatorio di GSK, estende la visibilità della pipeline oltre il 2031 e limita il consumo di cassa a breve termine preservando i diritti di espansione globale. La licenza per HRS-9821 richiede l'approvazione antitrust consueta dell'HSR.

GSK ha presentado un Formulario 6-K anunciando acuerdos amplios de I+D con la empresa china Hengrui Pharma.

Términos clave:

  • Licencia exclusiva fuera de China para el inhibidor inhalado PDE3/4 HRS-9821, actualmente en desarrollo clínico para EPOC como terapia de mantenimiento adicional.
  • Marco para optar a hasta 11 programas adicionales en Respiratorio, Inmunología & Inflamación y Oncología tras la finalización de la fase I.
  • Pago inicial: 500 millones de dólares; posibles hitos basados en el éxito de aproximadamente 12 mil millones de dólares más regalías globales escalonadas (excluyendo China).
  • Hengrui financia y dirige el descubrimiento hasta la fase I; GSK controla el desarrollo en etapas posteriores y la comercialización mundial fuera de China continental, Hong Kong, Macao y Taiwán.

Razonamiento estratégico: complementa la cartera inhalada de GSK, amplía la visibilidad de la cartera más allá de 2031 y limita el gasto de efectivo a corto plazo mientras preserva los derechos de expansión global. La licencia para HRS-9821 requiere la aprobación antimonopolio habitual del HSR.

GSK� 중국 기반� Hengrui Pharma와 광범위한 연구개발 계약� 발표하는 Form 6-K� 제출했습니다.

주요 조건:

  • 만성폐쇄성폐질환(COPD) 보조 유지 치료제로 현재 임상 개발 중인 흡입� PDE3/4 억제� HRS-9821� 대� 중국 제외 독점 라이선스.
  • 1� 완료 � 최대 11개의 추가 호흡�, 면역 � 염증, 종양 프로그램 선택 옵션 프레임워�.
  • 선급�: 5� 달러; 성공 기반 마일스톤 최대 � 120� 달러 � 단계� 글로벌 로열�(중국 제외).
  • Hengrui가 발견부� 1상까지 자금 지� � 운영; GSK� 중국 본토, 홍콩, 마카�, 대� 제외 � 세계 후속 개발 � 상업� 관�.

전략� 이유: GSK� 흡입� 포트폴리오를 보완하고, 2031� 이후까지 파이프라� 가시성� 확장하며, 단기 현금 소모� 제한하면� 글로벌 확장 권리� 유지합니�. HRS-9821 라이선스� 일반적인 HSR 독점 금지 승인 필요합니�.

GSK a déposé un formulaire 6-K annonçant des accords de R&D étendus avec la société chinoise Hengrui Pharma.

Principaux termes :

  • Licence exclusive hors Chine pour l'inhibiteur inhalé PDE3/4 HRS-9821, actuellement en développement clinique pour la BPCO en thérapie d'entretien additionnelle.
  • Cadre permettant d'opter pour jusqu'à 11 programmes supplémentaires en Respiratoire, Immunologie & Inflammation et Oncologie après la phase I.
  • Paiement initial : 500 millions de dollars ; jalons potentiels basés sur le succès d'environ 12 milliards de dollars plus des redevances mondiales échelonnées (hors Chine).
  • Hengrui finance et conduit la découverte jusqu'à la phase I ; GSK contrôle le développement ultérieur et la commercialisation mondiale hors Chine continentale, Hong Kong, Macao et Taïwan.

Justification stratégique : complète le portefeuille inhalé de GSK, étend la visibilité du pipeline au-delà de 2031 et limite la consommation de trésorerie à court terme tout en préservant les droits d'expansion mondiale. La licence pour HRS-9821 nécessite l'approbation antitrust habituelle du HSR.

GSK hat ein Formular 6-K eingereicht, in dem weitreichende F&E-Vereinbarungen mit dem chinesischen Unternehmen Hengrui Pharma angekündigt werden.

Wichtige Bedingungen:

  • Exklusive Lizenz außerhalb Chinas für den inhalierten PDE3/4-Inhibitor HRS-9821, der sich derzeit in der klinischen Entwicklung als Zusatz-Erhaltungstherapie bei COPD befindet.
  • Rahmenvereinbarung zur Option von bis zu 11 weiteren Programmen in den Bereichen Atmung, Immunologie & Entzündung sowie Onkologie nach Abschluss der Phase I.
  • Vorauszahlung: 500 Mio. USD; potenzielle erfolgsabhängige Meilensteine von ca. 12 Mrd. USD plus gestaffelte weltweite Lizenzgebühren (ex-China).
  • Hengrui finanziert und führt die Entdeckung bis Phase I durch; GSK kontrolliert die spätere Entwicklung und weltweite Kommerzialisierung außerhalb des chinesischen Festlands, Hongkong, Macau und Taiwan.

Strategische Begründung: Ergänzt GSKs inhalatives Portfolio, erweitert die Pipeline-Sichtbarkeit über 2031 hinaus und begrenzt kurzfristigen Cash-Burn bei gleichzeitiger Wahrung der globalen Ausbau-Rechte. Die Lizenz für HRS-9821 erfordert die übliche HSR-Kartellfreigabe.

 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
Form 6-K
 
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
 
For the month of July 2025
 
Commission File Number 001-15170
 
 
GSK plc
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
 
 
79 New Oxford Street, London, WC1A 1DG
(Address of principal executive office)
 
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
 
Form 20-F . . . .X. . . . Form 40-F . . . . . . . .
 
 
Issued: 28 July 2025, London UK
 
GSK and Hengrui Pharma enter agreements to develop up to 12 innovative medicines across Respiratory, Immunology & Inflammation and Oncology
 
●     Includes license for potential best-in-class PDE3/4 inhibitor (HRS-9821) in clinical development for treatment of COPD
●     Additional 11 programmes to be developed by Hengrui Pharma and optioned by GSK following phase I completion
 
 
GSK plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) today announced it has entered into agreements with Hengrui Pharma (600276.SH; 01276.HK) to develop up to 12 innovative medicines, adding significant new growth opportunities to the company beyond 2031. The programmes were selected to complement GSK's extensive Respiratory, Immunology & Inflammation (RI&I) and Oncology pipeline, and assessed for their potential best- or first-in class profiles. GSK will pay $500 million in upfront fees across the agreements.
 
The agreements include an exclusive worldwide license (excluding mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) for a potential best-in-class, PDE3/4 inhibitor (HRS-9821) in clinical development for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as an add-on maintenance treatment, irrespective of background therapy. The addition of HRS-9821 supports GSK's ambition to treat patients across the widest spectrum of COPD by including those who face continued dyspnoea (shortness of breath) or who are unlikely to receive inhaled corticosteroids or biologics, based on their disease profile. 
 
HRS-9821 has demonstrated potent PDE3 and PDE4 inhibition, leading to increased bronchodilation and anti-inflammatory effects in early clinical and preclinical studies. In addition, HRS-9821 provides the opportunity for a convenient dry-powder inhaler (DPI) formulation that strategically fits GSK's established inhaled portfolio.  
 
The agreements also include a pioneering scaled collaboration to generate up to 11 programmes in addition to HRS-9821, each with its own financial structure. Hengrui Pharma will lead the development of these programmes up to completion of phase I trials, including patients outside of China. GSK will have the exclusive option to further develop and commercialise each programme worldwide (excluding mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan), at the end of phase I or earlier at GSK's election, as well as certain programme substitution rights.  
 
Tony Wood, Chief Scientific Officer, GSK said: "We're delighted to announce these exciting agreements with Hengrui Pharma which complement our already-extensive pipeline. This deal reflects our strategic investment in programmes that address validated targets, increasing the likelihood of success, and with the option to advance those assets with the greatest potential for patient impact." 
 
Frank Jiang, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of Hengrui Pharma, said: "This strategic collaboration with GSK marks yet another significant milestone in Hengrui's globalisation journey and our mission to innovate and deliver higher-quality, cutting-edge therapies for patients worldwide. GSK brings additional R&D expertise, a robust global clinical network, and broad regulatory capabilities that will accelerate our PDE3/4 inhibitor as well as an array of other innovative therapy programs to overseas markets, potentially delivering breakthrough treatments to patients globally." 
 
The collaboration enables scale and speed to proof-of-concept to develop up to 11 additional innovative medicines. It benefits from GSK's therapy area expertise, deep understanding of disease biology, clinical development capability and global commercial scale with Hengrui Pharma's early discovery engine, platform technologies, extensive pre-clinical pipeline of high-value programmes and speed of clinical evaluation. 
 
Financial considerations 
GSK will pay $500 million in upfront fees across the agreements including for the license of the PDE3/4 programme. The potential total value of future success-based development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments to Hengrui Pharma is approximately $12 billion if all programmes are optioned and all milestones are achieved. In addition, Hengrui Pharma will be eligible to receive tiered royalties on global product net sales (excluding mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan).
 
The license to HRS-9821 is subject to customary conditions, including applicable regulatory agency clearances under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act in the US. 
 
About Hengrui Pharma 
Hengrui Pharma is an innovative, global pharmaceutical company dedicated to the research, development and commercialisation of high-quality medicines to address unmet clinical needs. With a global R&D team that includes 14 R&D centres and more than 5,500 professionals, Hengrui Pharma's therapeutic areas of focus include oncology, metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, immunological and respiratory diseases, and neuroscience. To date, Hengrui has commercialised 23 new molecular entity drugs and 4 other innovative drugs in China. Founded in 1970 with the core principle of putting patients first, Hengrui Pharma remains committed to advancing human health by striving to conquer diseases, improve health, and extend lives through the power of science and technology. 
  
About GSK
GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together. Find out more at gsk.com.
 
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Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements
GSK cautions investors that any forward-looking statements or projections made by GSK, including those made in this announcement, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such factors include, but are not limited to, those described in the "Risk Factors" section in GSK's Annual Report on Form 20-F for 2024, and GSK's Q1 Results for 2025.

 
Registered in England & Wales:
No. 3888792
 
 
Registered Office:
79 New Oxford Street
London
WC1A 1DG
 
 
 
SIGNATURES
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorised.
 
GSK plc
 
(Registrant)
 
 
Date: July 28, 2025
 
 
 
 
By:/s/ VICTORIA WHYTE
--------------------------
 
 
 
Victoria Whyte
 
Authorised Signatory for and on
 
behalf of GSK plc

FAQ

How much is GSK (GSK) paying upfront to Hengrui Pharma?

GSK will pay $500 million in upfront fees across the agreements.

What is the total potential milestone payment to Hengrui?

Success-based development, regulatory and commercial milestones could reach about $12 billion if all 12 programmes progress.

Which asset is licensed immediately under the deal?

GSK receives an exclusive ex-China licence to HRS-9821, an inhaled PDE3/4 inhibitor for COPD.

When can GSK option the additional 11 programmes?

GSK may exercise options at end of phase I or earlier, at its election.

Does the agreement cover Greater China markets?

No. Rights for mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan remain with Hengrui Pharma.

What regulatory approval is required for the HRS-9821 licence?

Closing is subject to Hart-Scott-Rodino Act clearance in the United States.
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