Novo Nordisk licenses Hengrui's once-weekly oral GLP-1/GIP drug in deal worth up to $2.6bn
Novo Nordisk has licensed Hengrui Pharma's once-weekly oral GLP-1/GIP dual receptor agonist HRS-1596 in a global deal worth up to $2.6 billion.
Hengrui will receive $300 million upfront, while Novo Nordisk gains exclusive rights outside Greater China to the Phase I-ready metabolic-disease candidate.
The agreement adds another oral incretin programme to Novo Nordisk's pipeline as competition intensifies across obesity and diabetes treatment.
Field | Content |
Article Type | Deals |
Companies | Novo Nordisk; Hengrui Pharma |
Deal Type | Exclusive global licensing agreement |
Asset | HRS-1596 |
Therapy Areas | Obesity; type 2 diabetes; metabolic disease |
Technology/Modality | Once-weekly oral GLP-1/GIP dual receptor agonist |
Development Stage | Phase I-ready |
Upfront Payment | $300 million |
Potential Deal Value | Up to $2.6 billion |
Additional Economics | Sales royalties |
Geography | Worldwide excluding Greater China |
What Happened | Novo Nordisk secured exclusive rights outside Greater China to Hengrui Pharma's HRS-1596. |
Why It Matters | The transaction adds a once-weekly oral incretin candidate to Novo Nordisk's metabolic pipeline as competition grows around more convenient obesity and diabetes therapies. |
Supporting Context | HRS-1596 is designed as an oral dual agonist of the GLP-1 and GIP receptors. |
Strategic Rationale | Novo Nordisk gains another potential oral metabolic therapy while Hengrui receives substantial upfront funding and downstream milestone opportunities. |
Potential Impact | Successful development could broaden treatment choice beyond injectable incretin medicines. |
Key Takeaway | Novo Nordisk has licensed HRS-1596 in a deal worth up to $2.6 billion, including $300 million upfront. |
What to Watch | Entry into clinical development, early safety and efficacy data and future positioning within Novo Nordisk's obesity and diabetes portfolio. |
Primary Source | Novo Nordisk / Hengrui Pharma |
Relevant Date | 29 September 2026 |
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