Merck Inks $2B Licensing Deal With Chinese Biotech for Oral Heart Drug

Core Viewpoint - Merck has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals for the development and marketing of HRS-5346, an investigational oral small-molecule Lipoprotein(a) inhibitor [1][2]. Group 1: Licensing Deal Details - Merck will acquire global rights (excluding Greater China) for HRS-5346, paying an upfront cash payment of $200 million and up to$1.77 billion in milestone payments, along with royalties on future sales [2][3]. - The deal is expected to close in the second quarter, pending customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals [3]. Group 2: Health Implications - Elevated levels of Lipoprotein(a) are a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, affecting approximately 1.4 billion people globally [4]. Group 3: Strategic Context - This licensing agreement marks Merck's third collaboration with Chinese biotech firms, following previous multi-billion dollar deals with Hansoh Pharma and LaNova Medicines [7]. - The strategy aims to diversify Merck's revenue base, which is heavily reliant on Keytruda, accounting for nearly 46% of total revenues in 2024 [8]. - The trend of big pharma companies seeking partnerships in China reflects a broader industry movement towards accessing new drugs at attractive valuations [9].