SILICON VALLEY, Calif. & BEIJING, June 1, 2026
Haisco Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd. has announced a landmark licensing and research collaboration agreement with Eli Lilly and Company aimed at accelerating the discovery and development of innovative medicines across multiple therapeutic areas. The strategic alliance represents a major step in Haisco’s international expansion strategy and highlights the growing global influence of China-originated pharmaceutical innovation. Under the agreement, Haisco will lead the discovery and identification of up to five novel therapeutic target programs, while Lilly will assume responsibility for IND-enabling studies, clinical development, regulatory advancement, and commercialization. The collaboration has the potential to generate up to $3.05 billion in milestone payments, including $87 million in upfront and near-term payments, in addition to future royalty opportunities. The agreement underscores increasing industry demand for innovative drug discovery partnerships capable of accelerating the delivery of breakthrough therapies to patients worldwide.
Strategic Alliance Combines Discovery Innovation with Global Development Expertise
The collaboration leverages the complementary strengths of both organizations. Haisco will utilize its expanding research infrastructure and innovative drug discovery capabilities to identify and advance promising therapeutic targets across multiple disease areas. Lilly, one of the world’s leading biopharmaceutical companies, will contribute its extensive expertise in translational medicine, global clinical development, regulatory strategy, and commercial execution.
Under the terms of the agreement, Lilly will receive exclusive worldwide rights to selected programs, while certain assets will grant Lilly exclusive rights outside mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. Haisco will retain commercialization rights within these territories for applicable programs. The arrangement creates a framework designed to accelerate scientific innovation while maximizing global patient access to future therapies. Industry observers view the collaboration as a significant validation of Haisco’s growing capabilities in innovative drug research and international business development.
Expanding Innovation Across Multiple Therapeutic Areas
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The agreement is expected to support the advancement of next-generation therapies targeting some of the world’s most pressing healthcare challenges. Haisco currently maintains a diversified research and development pipeline consisting of more than 50 active programs, spanning critical therapeutic areas including oncology, pain management, respiratory diseases, autoimmune disorders, metabolic diseases, and central nervous system disorders. More than ten of these programs have already progressed into pivotal stages of clinical development, reflecting the company’s commitment to scientific innovation and long-term research investment.
Over the past three years, Haisco has consistently invested more than 15% of annual revenue into research and development, building a robust innovation ecosystem supported by major research centers in Chengdu, Shanghai, and Silicon Valley. The collaboration with Lilly is expected to accelerate the translation of these research efforts into globally accessible therapeutic products capable of addressing significant unmet medical needs.
Strengthening Global Biopharma Collaboration and Drug Development
The partnership also reflects a broader transformation occurring within the global pharmaceutical industry, where cross-border collaborations are increasingly driving innovation and accelerating drug development timelines. Since launching its international expansion strategy in 2015, Haisco has actively pursued licensing agreements, co-development partnerships, and strategic transactions aimed at expanding its global footprint. By partnering with Lilly, the company gains access to one of the industry’s most experienced development and commercialization platforms, while Lilly strengthens its access to innovative discovery programs emerging from China’s rapidly evolving biopharmaceutical ecosystem.
Executives from both organizations emphasized their shared commitment to advancing innovative medicines and improving outcomes for patients worldwide. As the demand for novel therapies continues to rise across multiple disease areas, the collaboration is expected to serve as a model for future global research partnerships that combine scientific excellence, development expertise, and commercial reach. The agreement highlights the growing role of international collaboration in shaping the next generation of breakthrough treatments and advancing the future of precision medicine.
Source: Haisco, Eli Lilly press release
