GSK has signed a worldwide exclusive license agreement with Empirico, investing $85 million upfront and committing up to $745 million overall to advance a first-in-class small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The deal grants GSK global rights to Empirico’s lead candidate, EMP-012, which is currently in a Phase I trial targeting an undisclosed inflammatory pathway implicated in COPD.
EMP-012 aims to address the widespread need for new COPD treatments, particularly for patients with non-type 2 inflammation—a subgroup where existing therapies offer few options. Empirico’s proprietary siRNA platform enables EMP-012 to potentially deliver enhanced potency and longer dosing intervals compared to current treatments. Upon successful clinical development and regulatory approval, Empirico could receive milestone payments totaling $660 million and tiered royalties on worldwide sales.
GSK is actively expanding its COPD pipeline. This agreement follows GSK’s recent collaborations aimed at reinforcing its leadership in respiratory medicine.
“EMP-012 could transform care in COPD by targeting underlying drivers of disease, offering a novel therapeutic option for an underserved patient population,” said Kaivan Khavandi, GSK’s SVP of respiratory R&D. The partnership, which leverages Empirico’s genetics-driven discovery and GSK’s global reach, reflects growing industry investment in RNA-based therapies to address complex pulmonary conditions.
Subscribe to our e-Newsletters
Stay up to date with the latest news, articles, and events. Plus, get special offers
from American Pharmaceutical Review – all delivered right to your inbox!
Sign up now!