Pharmaceutical giant GSK has entered an exclusive strategic partnership with SBP Group, via its subsidiary Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group, to expedite the launch of bepirovirsen for chronic hepatitis B patients across mainland China, leveraging CTTQ's reach across more than 5,000 medical centres in China, according to Pharmaceutical Technology.

Under the agreement, CTTQ will manage the importation, distribution, and hospital access for bepirovirsen, as well as all promotional and non-promotional activities across mainland China. GSK will retain its role as marketing authorisation holder and oversee regulatory, quality, pharmacovigilance, and global medical strategy activities.

Mike Crichton, president of GSK International, said: "Chronic hepatitis B affects 75 million people in China and is a leading cause of liver cancer in the country. By combining GSK's innovation with CTTQ's extensive local scale and execution, we want to reach more patients, deliver greater impact, and directly address one of China's most pressing healthcare priorities."

Bepirovirsen is an investigational triple-action antisense oligonucleotide designed to inhibit viral DNA replication, suppress hepatitis B surface antigen in the blood, and stimulate the immune system for a durable response. Initially licensed from Ionis, the therapy has received priority review, fast track, and breakthrough designations from regulatory authorities in the United States, China, and Japan.

China's National Action Plan for 2025 to 2030 has set functional cure as the treatment target for hepatitis B, providing a strong policy framework for the commercial launch of novel therapeutic approaches.

GSK also retains the option to evaluate certain early-stage pipeline assets from SBP Group for collaboration opportunities outside China, broadening the strategic scope of the partnership beyond the immediate bepirovirsen programme.

Read the full article for comprehensive details on the GSK and SBP Group partnership and bepirovirsen's development status.