Haisco Pharma hands novel pain compound portfolio to AbbVie for USD 745m

A portfolio of novel pain compounds developed by Haisco Pharmaceutical Group (SZSE: 002653) has been licensed exclusively to AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) under an agreement announced April 10, 2026. The deal grants AbbVie rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize the compounds globally, excluding mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. The program covers multiple compounds at stages ranging from preclinical to Phase I in China, all targeting pain-related indications.

Under the terms, Haisco receives a USD 30 million upfront payment and is eligible for up to USD 715 million in aggregate development, regulatory, and commercial milestones, bringing the total potential deal value to USD 745 million. Haisco is also eligible for tiered royalties on future net sales. Specific milestone triggers and royalty rates were not disclosed.

Deal context

The compounds involved are described by Haisco as novel medicines for pain, but the press release does not identify specific molecule names, biological targets, or mechanisms of action. Haisco's pipeline is built primarily around small molecules, and the company describes its R&D focus as spanning pain management, oncology, respiratory, autoimmune, metabolic, and central nervous system disorders. The pain program being licensed sits within that broader portfolio, which Haisco states includes more than 50 active programs, with over 10 at pivotal clinical stages.

AbbVie has identified neuroscience as a core therapeutic focus alongside its established positions in immunology and oncology. However, the company has had limited recent deal activity specifically in pain, suggesting the Haisco transaction may represent an effort to expand its position in this segment within a broader neuroscience strategy. Other deals of note in the neuroscience space include the USD 8.7 billion acquisition of Cerevel Therapeutics in 2023, focused on later-stage CNS assets for schizophrenia, Parkinson’s, and epilepsy.

The deal also represents the latest collaboration between AbbVie with China-based partners. In January 2026, AbbVie struck a deal worth in excess of USD 5 billion with Remegen for a PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody, while two separate partnerships were signed in 2025, with Zelgen Biopharmaceuticals for T-cell engagers, and Simcere Pharma for a trispecific antibody.

For Haisco, the deal represents an extension of an international out-licensing strategy the company has pursued since 2015. Other notable partners include US based biotech AirNexis, which signed a deal worth in excess of USD 1 billion in January 2026 for PDE/4 respiratory asset of Haisco, HSK39004

The Chengdu-based company has R&D operations in Shanghai and Silicon Valley and has previously pursued international expansion through out-licensing, co-development, and acquisitions. Previous multinational partners include US biotech AirNexis and Italy's Chiesi Farmaceutici SpA.

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