Novo Nordisk has agreed to licence HRS-1596, an innovative phase I-ready oral dual agonist for obesity and diabetes from Hengrui Pharma, signalling a push to expand oral metabolic therapies amidst fierce industry competition.
Novo Nordisk has agreed to license HRS-1596, an experimental obesity and diabetes drug from Hengrui Pharma, in a deal worth as much as $2.6 billion, according to statements from the two companies. The Chinese drugmaker said the asset is a phase I-ready glucagon-like peptide-1 and gastric inhibitory polypeptide dual agonist, with the potential for once-weekly oral dosing, a formulation that could improve convenience if it ultimately proves safe and effective in patients.
Under the agreement, Novo will gain exclusive rights to develop, manufacture and commercialise HRS-1596 outside mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Hengrui said it will receive $300 million upfront, with the rest of the potential value tied to development, regulatory and commercial milestones, as well as royalties on net sales in the licensed territory. The deal was announced on September 29 and still requires clearance under the US Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, along with other customary closing conditions, with completion expected in the fourth quarter of 2026, according to the companies.
HRS-1596 is designed to act on two hormone pathways central to blood sugar control and appetite regulation. GLP-1 drugs help reduce food intake and improve glucose control, while GIP activity is being explored as a way to strengthen weight-loss and metabolic effects. Hengrui said the candidate has already received Chinese regulatory approval to begin phase I trials for weight management and type 2 diabetes, an early stage in development that will test safety, dosing and preliminary activity rather than prove efficacy at scale.
The licensing deal also underlines Novo Nordisk’s push to deepen its position in oral treatments for obesity and cardiometabolic disease. The Danish company has been one of the main forces behind the GLP-1 boom, but it has also been looking for new ways to extend that franchise beyond injectables. Hengrui, meanwhile, said the collaboration combines its own research capabilities with Novo’s global reach in metabolic disease, while allowing it to retain rights in Greater China. Industry commentary around the agreement has framed it as another sign of intense competition to develop next-generation oral therapies that could broaden access to a fast-growing market.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
