GSK has announced an exclusive strategic collaboration with Sino Biopharmaceutical through its subsidiary Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group to accelerate the launch and commercialization of Bepirovirsen in mainland China.
The agreement is aimed at expanding patient access to bepirovirsen, a potential first-in-class treatment for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) that is currently under priority regulatory review in China. The collaboration combines GSK’s drug development and innovation capabilities with Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group’s large commercial network and established presence in hepatitis B treatment across the country.
Under the terms of the partnership, Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group, commonly known as CTTQ, will oversee importation, distribution, hospital access, and both promotional and non-promotional activities related to bepirovirsen in mainland China. GSK will remain the marketing authorization holder and retain responsibility for regulatory affairs, product quality, pharmacovigilance, and global medical strategy.
The deal also includes an option for GSK to review selected early-stage pipeline assets from Sino Biopharmaceutical for potential collaboration opportunities outside China.
According to GSK, chronic hepatitis B remains one of China’s most pressing public health challenges, affecting an estimated 75 million people and serving as a major cause of liver cancer in the country.
Mike Crichton, President International at GSK, said the partnership is designed to help the company reach more patients faster by combining innovative science with strong local execution capabilities.
He noted that chronic hepatitis B continues to represent a major healthcare burden in China and emphasized the importance of expanding access to therapies that could potentially transform disease management.
CTTQ is considered one of China’s leading hepatitis B pharmaceutical companies, with a broad liver disease portfolio and a commercial network that spans more than 5,000 medical centers across multiple healthcare settings. The company has played a significant role in improving hepatitis B diagnosis and treatment in China over the past several years.
The collaboration comes as China increases its national focus on hepatitis B treatment and prevention. The country’s National Action Plan for the Prevention and Treatment of Viral Hepatitis (2025–2030) identifies achieving a “functional cure” for hepatitis B as a major treatment objective.
A functional cure is defined as sustained undetectable levels of hepatitis B virus DNA and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in the blood for at least six months after stopping treatment. Achieving this outcome has been associated with a significant reduction in long-term complications, including liver cancer and liver failure.
Bepirovirsen has attracted regulatory attention in China due to its potential to help patients achieve functional cure outcomes. The investigational therapy received Breakthrough Therapy designation in China in August 2021 and was granted Priority Review status in April 2026.
The regulatory filing is supported by data from the Phase III B-Well 1 and B-Well 2 clinical trials, which demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful functional cure rates in patients with chronic hepatitis B.
If approved, bepirovirsen could become a significant addition to China’s hepatitis B treatment landscape and further strengthen GSK’s presence in infectious disease therapies in the region.