HUTCHMED granted GSK exclusive rights outside Greater China to develop HMPL-A830, a first-in-class KRAS-EGFR antibody conjugate targeting colorectal, pancreatic and lung cancers. The agreement carries a $110 million upfront payment and up to $1.295 billion in total milestones, with Phase I trials slated for the second half of 2026.
HUTCHMED granted GSK exclusive worldwide rights to HMPL-A830, a first-in-class KRAS-EGFR antibody-targeted therapy conjugate, in a licensing deal worth up to $1.295 billion.
"The dual KRAS-EGFR mechanism of HMPL-A830 has the potential to significantly improve upon current standard of care," Dr. Hesham Abdullah, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Oncology R&D at GSK, said.
The agreement includes a $110 million upfront payment, additional development, regulatory and commercial milestones of up to $1.185 billion, and tiered royalties on net sales. HUTCHMED retains full rights in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, and will run the global Phase I program expected to start in the second half of 2026. GSK will handle all subsequent clinical development and commercialization outside those territories.
KRAS mutations drive roughly 44 percent of colorectal cancers, 34 percent of lung adenocarcinomas and up to 89 percent of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas, according to a 2024 Nature Medicine review. HMPL-A830 combines a KRAS small-molecule inhibitor payload with an anti-EGFR antibody, delivering dual blockade of the signaling pathway while reducing off-tumor toxicity compared with systemically delivered inhibitors.
The drug is the third candidate from HUTCHMED's ATTC platform and the first licensed to a global partner, following two candidates already in clinical development. GSK also secured a right of first negotiation on one earlier-stage ATTC candidate from the platform.
HUTCHMED shares rose 1.09 percent on the announcement. The deal closes subject to customary conditions, including antitrust regulatory reviews, with BofA Securities advising HUTCHMED.
The licensing agreement gives HUTCHMED a $110 million cash infusion and a path to milestone payments that could total more than $1 billion if HMPL-A830 advances through clinical development and reaches market. Investors will watch the Phase I trial initiation in the second half of 2026 as the next catalyst for the program.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
