Pharmaceutical giant GSK has entered into an exclusive collaboration with Sino Biopharmaceutical (SBP Group), specifically through its subsidiary Chia Tai Tianqing (CTTQ). The partnership aims to leverage CTTQ’s extensive commercial footprint to expedite the launch of Bepirovirsen, a promising hepatitis B candidate, within mainland China.
Strategic large-scale market access Under the terms of the agreement, CTTQ will manage importation, distribution, hospital access, and promotional efforts across its network of over 5,000 medical centers. GSK will retain marketing authorization and remain responsible for regulatory affairs, quality control, pharmacovigilance, and global medical strategy.
Aiming for a functional cure Bepirovirsen is a triple-action antisense oligonucleotide designed to inhibit viral DNA replication, suppress circulating surface antigens (HBsAg), and stimulate a durable immune response. Unlike current standard-of-care treatments that often require lifelong therapy with low success rates, Bepirovirsen targets a “functional cure”—defined as undetectable viral DNA and surface antigens for at least 24 weeks post-treatment.
Regulatory milestones and public health impact In the United States, the FDA accepted the New Drug Application for Bepirovirsen in April 2026, granting it Priority Review with a decision expected by late October 2026. In China, which faces a severe burden of approximately 75 million affected individuals and high rates of liver cancer, the deployment of this therapy aligns with the government’s National Action Plan for 2025-2030 to prioritize viral hepatitis treatment.