Merck Acquires Rights to Hengrui’s Oral Lp(a) Inhibitor in $2B Deal

Merck & Co. has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals for HRS-5346, an oral small molecule Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] inhibitor26.

The deal is worth up to $2 billion, including a $200 million upfront payment and up to $1.77 billion in potential milestone payments46.

HRS-5346 is currently being evaluated in a Phase II clinical trial in China for patients with elevated Lp(a) at high risk for cardiovascular events24.

Merck gains worldwide rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize HRS-5346, excluding the Greater China region48.

Elevated Lp(a) levels affect approximately 1 in 5 adults globally and are a well-documented risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease8.

The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2025, subject to regulatory approvals68.

This deal positions Merck to compete with other pharmaceutical companies targeting Lp(a), including AstraZeneca and Eli Lilly26.

The collaboration aims to accelerate the development of HRS-5346 as a potential additional treatment option for patients at risk of atherosclerosis4.

Sources:

2. https://www.genengnews.com/topics/drug-discovery/merck-hengrui-launch-up-to-2b-cardiometabolic-collaboration/

4. https://www.europeanpharmaceuticalreview.com/news/251380/msd-to-advance-investigational-lpa-inhibitor-in-nearly-2b-deal/

6. https://www.biospace.com/business/merck-commits-nearly-2b-for-oral-lipid-lowering-drug-from-chinese-biotech

8. https://www.biospace.com/press-releases/merck-enters-exclusive-license-agreement-for-hrs-5346-an-investigational-oral-lipoproteina-inhibitor-for-cardiovascular-disease-from-jiangsu-hengrui-pharmaceuticals-co-ltd