GSK agrees China hepatitis B deal as kicks off last tranche of buyback

(Alliance News) - GSK PLC on Monday launched the fifth tranche of its GBP2.0 billion buyback as it announced an exclusive collaboration with China pharmaceutical group Sino Biopharmaceutical Ltd.

The London-based pharmaceuticals company said its exclusive link-up with Sino Biopharmaceutical is to accelerate the launch of hepatitis B treatment bepirovirsen in mainland China, where the drug is under priority regulatory review.

Under the agreement, Sino Biopharmaceutical subsidiary Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group will handle importation, distribution and promotional activities for bepirovirsen across more than 5,000 medical centres in China, while GSK retains regulatory and medical oversight.

GSK said CTTQ will purchase bepirovirsen under agreed supply terms for an initial 5.5-year period. Bepirovirsen is a potential first-in-class treatment for chronic hepatitis B, a disease affecting around 75 million people in China.

GSK also gains the ability to review certain early-stage SBP pipeline assets for potential collaboration opportunities outside China.

Separately, GSK launched the fifth and final tranche of its GBP2.0 billion share buyback programme, with purchases of up to GBP180 million expected to complete by June 26.

The company said it has already repurchased around 114.4 million shares for around GBP1.82 billion under the programme.

Shares in GSK rose 0.5% to 1,852.00 pence each in London on Monday morning.

By Jeremy Cutler, Alliance News reporter

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