Novo Nordisk Secured Rights to Hengrui Drug Candidate
The pharmaceutical giant obtained global rights for a dual receptor agonist developed by Hengrui Pharma.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Diabetes
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Novo Nordisk entered an exclusive licensing agreement for the GLP-1 and GIP dual agonist HRS-1596. The deal grants the company development and commercialization rights outside of Greater China.
Why it matters
The collaboration aims to accelerate the development of a potential once-weekly oral treatment for obesity and type 2 diabetes. By securing this candidate, Novo Nordisk expands its pipeline in the competitive market for dual receptor agonists.
The agreement centers on HRS-1596, a phase 1-ready GLP-1 and GIP dual receptor agonist that has received approval in China to begin initial clinical testing.
The players
Novo Nordisk
This Danish pharmaceutical company is a global leader in diabetes care and obesity treatments.
Hengrui Pharma
Based in China, this company focuses on the development and commercialization of innovative pharmaceuticals.
The details
Under the terms of the deal, Novo Nordisk holds rights for the drug candidate in all territories except mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. Hengrui Pharma is set to receive the upfront payment alongside future milestone-based payments and royalties on net sales.
Timeline
September 29, 2026: Novo Nordisk and Hengrui Pharma announced the license agreement.
Q4 2026: The transaction is expected to close.
The Big Picture
This deal underscores the industry-wide push to optimize the GLP-1 and GIP dual receptor agonist class for better patient outcomes. It follows a trend of established pharmaceutical firms seeking external partnerships to capture leadership in the next generation of metabolic therapies.
This development represents a potential future treatment option for individuals managing type 2 diabetes or obesity. While the drug is still in early-stage development, success could eventually expand the range of once-weekly oral therapies available to patients.
The takeaway
The deal signals strong commercial interest in novel oral therapies for metabolic conditions. Patients should monitor future clinical trial updates as these drug candidates move toward potential regulatory approval.
What happens next
The transaction is subject to clearance under the U.S. Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Further reading
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