Gilead Pays $1.275 Billion Upfront for PepStar's Oral IL-23R Inhibitor HCXT-2001
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Gilead has acquired global development rights to HCXT-2001, an oral IL-23R inhibitor discovered by PepStar Therapeutics, for an upfront payment of $1.275 billion. The asset, currently in Phase 1, is a half-life-extended oral cyclic peptide targeting the IL-23 receptor, an established axis in immune-mediated diseases. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, so the deal has not yet completed. PepStar previously raised a Series A round in March 2026 with backing from Hankang Capital. Open questions include regulatory clearance for the deal, additional milestone or royalty terms beyond the upfront figure, and the trial indications Gilead will pursue for the molecule.
Written by a model from the reports · updated 1 hour ago
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- mp.weixin.qq.comGilead Pays $1.275 Billion Upfront for Hanchen Xingtai's HCXT-2001
On October 22, Gilead licensed HCXT-2001 from Hanchen Xingtai for an upfront payment of $1.275 billion; the drug is in Phase I with no published human data. HCXT-2001 is an oral macrocyclic peptide IL-23 receptor inhibitor with an extended half-life, intended for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with potential to expand into psoriasis.
- mp.weixin.qq.comPickGilead Acquires Oral IL-23R Inhibitor Program Including HCXT-2001 for $1.275 Billion Upfront
Gilead has agreed with PepStar Therapeutics to acquire its oral IL-23R inhibitor program, including the clinical-stage oral cyclic peptide HCXT-2001. Gilead will pay an upfront fee of $1.275 billion at closing and gain worldwide development rights to the program; the deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026. Gilead says HCXT-2001 has potential in IBD as an oral monotherapy or in combination with emvistegrast.
- mp.weixin.qq.comGilead Acquires Global Rights to PepStar Therapeutics Oral IL-23R Inhibitor HCXT-2001 for $1.275 Billion Upfront
Gilead has acquired global development rights to HCXT-2001, an oral IL-23R inhibitor from PepStar Therapeutics, for an upfront payment of $1.275 billion. The Phase 1 asset is a half-life-extended oral cyclic peptide IL-23R inhibitor, and the deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026. Hankang Capital invested in PepStar's Series A round in March 2026.
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