Xin Lang Cai Jing·2026-01-16 10:05Core Viewpoint - China National Pharmaceutical Group (stock code: 01177.HK) announced the acquisition of Hegia Biotech for a total consideration of 1.2 billion RMB, marking a strategic move into the siRNA innovation drug sector [1][7] Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition will be financed through a combination of cash and equity, with approximately 1.1 billion RMB paid in cash and the remaining 97 million RMB through the issuance of new shares at HKD 6.66 per share [1][7] - Following the transaction, Hegia will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of China National Pharmaceutical Group, integrating its R&D pipeline and technology platform into the company's chronic disease treatment strategy [1][7] Group 2: Hegia Biotech Overview - Founded in 2018, Hegia has emerged as a "dark horse" in the domestic siRNA field, leveraging its proprietary multi-organ targeted delivery technology [2][8] - Hegia's key advantages include a clinically validated liver delivery platform capable of "once-a-year" dosing, a dual-chain conjugation technology platform, and a neural delivery platform [2][8] - Hegia currently has four clinical-stage projects and over 20 preclinical projects, with the most advanced being Kylo-11, which targets lipoprotein(a) and has initiated a multi-center Phase II clinical trial in October 2025 [2][8] Group 3: Market Context and Valuation - The global market for siRNA is projected to reach USD 15 billion, with no approved targeted drugs currently available, indicating a pressing clinical need [2][8] - The acquisition valuation of 1.2 billion RMB corresponds to an 18.75x market cap/research spending ratio based on Hegia's R&D expenditure for 2024, which is considered low compared to similar overseas companies [3][9] - The acquisition is seen as a strategic move to fill gaps in China National Pharmaceutical Group's cardiovascular treatment portfolio and create synergies with existing chronic disease pipelines [2][3][9] Group 4: Financial Strength and Industry Trends - As of June 2025, China National Pharmaceutical Group had over 30 billion RMB in cash and liquid assets, providing a solid foundation for ongoing investments in innovative drugs [4][10] - The siRNA sector has become a focal point for global pharmaceutical companies, with a total transaction volume of USD 35 billion in 2025, reflecting a 40% year-on-year growth [4][10] - The competitive landscape includes established international players like Alnylam, which has a market cap exceeding USD 50 billion, and domestic companies like Reebio, which recently went public [4][10] Group 5: Challenges and Future Prospects - The acquisition faces challenges, including Hegia's core pipelines being in early to mid-clinical stages, requiring lengthy R&D and approval processes [5][12] - Hegia's external delivery technologies have not yet been clinically validated, and scaling production of siRNA drugs remains an industry bottleneck [5][12] - Despite these challenges, the acquisition's synergy potential is significant, as China National Pharmaceutical Group's industrial capabilities could help Hegia navigate the "valley of death" in biotech [6][12]