Novo Nordisk secures exclusive global license from Hengrui Pharma for once-weekly oral GLP-1/GIP dual agonist HRS-1596

Deal could reach up to $2.6 billion in total value, including a $300 million upfront payment plus potential sales-based royalties

HRS-1596, ready to enter Phase 1 testing, is a dual receptor agonist targeting both GLP-1 and GIP, designed for once-weekly oral use

Novo Nordisk announced it has signed a licensing agreement with Hengrui Pharma for HRS-1596, a Phase 1-ready dual agonist targeting both the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor and the gastric inhibitory polypeptide receptor, with the potential to be taken orally just once a week.

Under the agreement’s terms, Novo Nordisk gains exclusive rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize HRS-1596 worldwide, with the exception of mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. The deal carries a potential total value of up to $2.6 billion, contingent on reaching specified development, regulatory, and commercial milestones, and includes an upfront payment of $300 million. Hengrui Pharma also stands to receive royalties tied to net sales of HRS-1596 within Novo Nordisk’s licensed territory.

Martin Holst Lange, executive vice president of research and development and chief scientific officer at Novo Nordisk, said the company has led the way in developing oral peptide therapies and, as an industry leader, continues to look for ways to expand its broad oral pipeline across obesity, diabetes, and other cardiometabolic conditions, drawing on both internal capabilities and external innovation. He said Hengrui Pharma has a strong track record of discovering and advancing patient-focused therapies, and that Novo Nordisk is excited to add HRS-1596 to its growing pipeline, with an eye toward exploring its potential to set a new standard for convenience in the field.

Frank Jiang, MD, PhD, executive vice president and chief strategy officer at Hengrui Pharma, said the company remains committed to continuous innovation aimed at bringing better treatments to patients, and that HRS-1596 reflects that commitment within metabolic disease, offering the potential convenience of once-weekly oral dosing. He said the collaboration brings together Hengrui’s strength in innovation with Novo Nordisk’s global leadership in GLP-1 therapies and obesity care, and that together the companies aim to advance this treatment for patients around the world.

HRS-1596 is designed to reduce body weight and improve blood sugar control through several mechanisms, including suppressing appetite, stimulating insulin secretion, and improving insulin sensitivity, positioning it as a potential treatment for obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic conditions. Its potential for once-weekly oral dosing could significantly reduce how often patients need to take the medicine, offering greater convenience compared with current treatment options. Hengrui Pharma has already received approval in China to begin Phase 1 clinical trials of HRS-1596 for weight management and type 2 diabetes.

The license agreement remains subject to clearance under the U.S. Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, along with other standard closing conditions, and is expected to close during the fourth quarter of 2026.

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