REG - GSK PLC - GSK completes acquisition of 35Pharma Inc.

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RNS Number : 5558A  GSK PLC  15 April 2026

Issued: 15 April 2026, London UK

 

GSK completes acquisition of 35Pharma Inc.

 

 

 

GSK plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) today announced the completion of its acquisition of
35Pharma Inc.
(https://www.gsk.com/en-gb/media/press-releases/gsk-enters-agreement-to-acquire-35pharma-inc/)
, a Canada-based, private, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company
specialising in the development of novel protein-based therapeutics. The
acquisition includes HS235, a potential best-in-class molecule for the
treatment of pulmonary hypertension (PH). HS235 targets the activin receptor
signalling pathway, a clinically validated therapeutic target in PH. The
global market for PH therapies is forecast to reach $18 billion by 2032, with
activin signalling inhibitors expected to account for 50% of this.(1)

 

HS235 is designed with enhanced selectivity providing the potential to lower
the risk of bleeding, pericardial effusion and dose-limiting increases in
haemoglobin, addressing key limitations in current pulmonary arterial
hypertension (PAH) treatment. The underlying mechanism of HS235 also offers
the potential for broad metabolic benefits, as observed in early clinical
studies, including fat-selective weight loss, preservation of lean mass, and
improved insulin sensitivity. If confirmed in future clinical trials, this
could bring additional clinical and commercial value given the high prevalence
of obesity and insulin resistance in the broader PH population.

 

Kaivan Khavandi, SVP, R&D Head Respiratory, Immunology & Inflammation
(RI&I), and Head of Translational & Development Sciences, GSK, said:
"HS235 is an important addition to our RI&I pipeline, which continues to
expand across inflammatory and fibrotic drivers underlying multiple chronic
diseases. With approximately 82 million patients currently living with PH in
its various forms, high burden of morbidity associated with the disease and
poor associated prognosis, with low five-year survival rates, we are committed
to advancing this novel, differentiated option to expand the limited
treatments currently available."

 

HS235 complements GSK's current RI&I portfolio, adding to a pipeline
already targeting the inflammatory and fibrotic drivers of chronic disease. It
also builds on a growing set of mechanisms that can expand across the
metabolic and vascular components of lung, liver and kidney disease.
Proof-of-concept trials are expected to start imminently in two forms of PH:
PAH and pulmonary hypertension due to heart failure with preserved ejection
fraction (PH-HFpEF).

 

Financial considerations

Under the terms of the agreement, GSK has acquired 100% of the equity of
35Pharma Inc. for $950 million.

 

About pulmonary hypertension (PH)

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a progressive, life-shortening disease marked
by high blood pressure in the lungs. There are different types of PH such as
pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and PH due to heart failure with
preserved ejection fraction (PH-HFpEF). PH affects approximately 82 million
people worldwide across multiple disease forms, yet treatment options remain
limited and the five-year survival rate is only around 50%.(2.3) PH is managed
by a concentrated base of pulmonologists and cardiologists, with patients
often treated at PH centres.

 

About HS235

HS235 targets the activin receptor signalling pathway, a clinically validated
therapeutic target in PH. HS235 is designed with enhanced selectivity,
reducing binding to BMP9 and BMP10 - ligands associated with adverse events
such as bleeding and telangiectasia (broken blood vessels). By potentially
lowering the risk of bleeding, HS235 may address a key limitation in current
PH treatment, particularly as a significant proportion of patients require
concomitant anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy.

 

About GSK

GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology,
and talent to get ahead of disease together. Find out more at www.gsk.com
(https://www.gsk.com) .

 

 GSK enquiries
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                      Kathleen Quinn       +1 202 603 5003       (Washington DC)
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 Investor Relations:  Constantin Fest      +44 (0) 7831 826525   (London)
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                      Sam Piper            +44 (0) 7824 525779   (London)
                      Jeff McLaughlin      +1 215 751 7002       (Philadelphia)
                      Frannie DeFranco     +1 215 751 3126       (Philadelphia)

 

Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements

GSK cautions investors that any forward-looking statements or projections made
by GSK, including those made in this announcement, are subject to risks and
uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those
projected. Such factors include, but are not limited to, those described in
the "Risk Factors" section in GSK's Annual Report on Form 20-F for 2025.

 

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WC1A 1DG

 

References

1. Evaluate Pharma consensus estimate; accessed Feb 2026.

2. Humbert, M. et al. (2022) 2022 ESC/ERS Guidelines for the diagnosis and
treatment of pulmonary hypertension, European Heart Journal, 43(38), pp.
3618-3731. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehac237.

3. Caravita S, Faini A, D'Araujo SC, et al. Clinical phenotypes and outcomes
of pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease: Role of the pre-capillary
component. PLOS ONE. 2018;13(6):e0199164. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0199164.

 

 

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