GSK plc has recently collaborated with Sino Biopharmaceutical, through its subsidiary Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group (CTTQ), to accelerate the launch and commercialisation of bepirovirsen in mainland China. Bepirovirsen is an investigational treatment for Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB) and is currently under priority regulatory review in China.

Under the agreement, CTTQ will oversee importation, distribution, hospital access and promotional activities for bepirovirsen across mainland China, leveraging its commercial network that spans over 5,000 medical centres. GSK will retain its role as the marketing authorisation holder and continue to manage regulatory, quality, pharmacovigilance and global medical strategy responsibilities.

The partnership aims to combine GSK’s therapeutic innovation with CTTQ’s market reach and expertise in liver disease treatment to improve patient access to advanced hepatitis B therapies in China. The collaboration also provides GSK the opportunity to review selected early-stage pipeline assets from the SBP Group for potential partnership opportunities outside China.

Chronic hepatitis B remains a major public health challenge in China, affecting around 75 million people and contributing to approximately 450,000 deaths annually. The disease is a leading cause of liver cancer in the country, with more than 84 percent of liver cancer cases associated with CHB infection. China’s National Action Plan for the Prevention and Treatment of Viral Hepatitis (2025–2030) has identified functional cure as a key treatment objective. Functional cure refers to sustained undetectable levels of hepatitis B virus DNA and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in the blood after treatment cessation, significantly reducing the risk of long-term complications such as liver cancer.

Bepirovirsen is a triple-action antisense oligonucleotide designed to inhibit viral DNA replication, reduce HBsAg levels and stimulate immune response to improve the likelihood of sustained viral control. The therapy has received multiple global regulatory recognitions, including Breakthrough Therapy and Priority Review designations in China, as well as Fast Track and Breakthrough Therapy designations from the US FDA. The regulatory submission in China is supported by positive phase 3 B-Well 1 and B-Well 2 trial results, which demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful functional cure rates.

Mike Crichton, President International, GSK, said the collaboration is aimed at addressing one of China’s most pressing healthcare priorities by combining innovation with strong local execution capabilities. He noted that the partnership would help deliver greater impact for patients living with chronic hepatitis B.

The agreement will initially run for 5.5 years, with the possibility of extension through mutual agreement. GSK will continue to book sales of bepirovirsen supplied to CTTQ under the collaboration arrangement.