AbbVie announced on Apr. 13 a partnership with China’s Haisco Pharmaceutical Group that could be valued at up to $715 million. The agreement gives AbbVie rights to several compounds aimed at treating pain, ranging from preclinical assets to those in Phase 1 testing in China.
The collaboration marks AbbVie's entry into the development of new pain medicines, an area currently led by Vertex following the approval of its non-opioid drug Journavx last year. This move reflects a growing interest among pharmaceutical companies in alternative approaches for pain management beyond traditional opioids.
According to the release, AbbVie and Haisco have not disclosed which specific types of pain medicines will be developed through their partnership. Haisco's previous work includes research on NaV1.8 inhibitors as well as other analgesic and non-controlled opioid candidates.
Haisco said AbbVie's experience in neuroscience was a key factor in forming the alliance. AbbVie has established migraine treatments such as Ubrelvy and Qulipta, along with Vraylar for bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. The company is also developing drugs for schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, and spinal cord injury.
In recent years, AbbVie has expanded its neuroscience portfolio through acquisitions including Cerevel Therapeutics for $8.7 billion in 2023—although emraclidine, the main asset from that deal, has faced clinical challenges—and Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals' bretisilocin last year for $1.2 billion.
Haisco continues to pursue international growth strategies; earlier this year it licensed a chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder treatment to AirNexis under an agreement potentially exceeding $1 billion with milestone payments.
