Novo Nordisk licenses Hengrui's once-weekly oral GLP-1/GIP candidate in deal worth up to $2.6bn
Novo Nordisk has secured rights outside Greater China to Hengrui Pharma's once-weekly oral GLP-1/GIP dual receptor agonist HRS-1596 in a deal worth up to $2.6bn.
Hengrui will receive $300m upfront, with total potential consideration of up to $2.6bn plus royalties as Novo Nordisk adds the phase 1-ready candidate to its obesity and metabolic disease pipeline.
The agreement gives Novo Nordisk global rights outside Greater China to develop, manufacture and commercialise HRS-1596.
Field | Content |
Alert Type | Licensing agreement |
Companies | Novo Nordisk; Hengrui Pharma |
Deal Type | Exclusive licence |
Asset or Company | HRS-1596 |
Therapy Area(s) | Obesity and metabolic disease |
Technology or Modality | Once-weekly oral GLP-1/GIP dual receptor agonist |
Deal Value | $300m upfront; total potential consideration of up to $2.6bn plus royalties |
Development Stage | Phase 1-ready |
Geography | Global rights outside Greater China |
What Happened | Novo Nordisk entered an exclusive licence agreement with Hengrui Pharma for HRS-1596, a once-weekly oral GLP-1/GIP dual receptor agonist. |
Why It Matters | The agreement adds another oral incretin-based candidate to Novo Nordisk's metabolic disease pipeline as competition continues across next-generation obesity treatments. |
Supporting Context | Hengrui will receive $300m upfront and is eligible for additional development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments, taking potential total consideration to up to $2.6bn, as well as royalties. |
Strategic Rationale | Novo Nordisk gains access to a differentiated once-weekly oral GLP-1/GIP programme that complements its existing obesity and metabolic disease portfolio. |
Potential Impact | Successful development could broaden the range of oral incretin-based treatment options available within the competitive obesity market. |
Key Takeaway | Novo Nordisk is expanding its next-generation obesity pipeline through a potentially $2.6bn licensing agreement for Hengrui's once-weekly oral GLP-1/GIP candidate. |
What to Watch | Clinical development of HRS-1596 and progression beyond its initial Phase I programme. |
Primary Source | Novo Nordisk |
Relevant Date | 29 September 2026 |
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