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March 26, 2025 – In a move to expand its cardio-metabolic pipeline, Merck has secured an exclusive global license (excluding Greater China) for HRS-5346, a potential game-changer in heart disease treatment developed by Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals. HRS-5346, currently in Phase 2 clinical trials in China, is an investigational oral small molecule inhibitor designed to lower Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), a well-known risk factor for atherosclerosis that affects one in five adults worldwide. Merck will make an upfront payment of $200 million, with additional milestone payments reaching up to $1.77 billion, alongside royalties on future sales.

This partnership underscores Merck’s commitment to addressing unmet needs in cardiovascular health. Dr. Dean Y. Li, president of Merck Research Laboratories, emphasized the significance of HRS-5346 in broadening their heart disease portfolio. Meanwhile, Dr. Frank Jiang, EVP and Chief Strategy Officer of Hengrui Pharma, expressed confidence that Merck’s global scale and clinical expertise will accelerate development. Pending regulatory approvals, the deal is expected to close in Q2 2025, with Merck recording a pre-tax charge of $200 million upon completion.