Sino Biopharm spends 1.2 billion yuan to acquire Hergy, securing a once-a-year 'lipid-lowering injection', betting on the small nucleic acid track

Source: Era Finance Author: Zhang Yuqi

Image Source: Tuchong Creative

Following the acquisition of Limin Pharmaceuticals, Sino Biopharm (01177.HK) has made another move, reinforcing its position in the small nucleic acid sector through acquisition.

On January 13, Sino Biopharm announced that it would acquire Hangzhou Hergy Biomedical Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as 'Hergy'), an innovative pharmaceutical company in the domestic small interfering RNA (siRNA) field, for a total price of 1.2 billion yuan. Sino Biopharm stated externally that through this acquisition, it has obtained a leading independent technology platform in the siRNA sector, a diversified product pipeline, and a professional R&D team, further enriching its pipeline layout in the large chronic disease field.

At the evening meeting titled 'Sino Biopharm’s Full Acquisition of Hergy Briefing' held on the same day, Sino Biopharm's Chairman of the Board, Xie Qirun, stated that acquiring Hergy would enable Sino Biopharm to achieve full coverage in the chronic disease field, preemptively capture the trillion-yuan market for chronic disease treatment, maintain its leading position in China’s chronic disease field, and also accelerate the company's international expansion in the chronic disease field.

Sino Biopharm further stated at the aforementioned briefing, “Cardio-cerebrovascular diseases, liver disease metabolism, and weight loss are our traditional areas of strength. We are optimistic about small nucleic acid technology and firmly believe that its future applications in the chronic disease market will bring immense value to patients. The potential for small nucleic acids is just beginning to be recognized by the market.”

Regarding the acquisition, Sino Biopharm told Times Finance, 'This acquisition of Higia completes our new-generation pipeline layout in the large chronic disease field, further deepening our strategic positioning following the acquisition of Limin. It is foreseeable that small nucleic acids are becoming a battleground for innovative drug development worldwide.'

Higia, founded in 2018, is a biopharmaceutical company focused on siRNA innovative drug research and development. The company has built an integrated innovative drug development system from target discovery to proof-of-concept (POC) clinical validation, currently owning core platforms such as the MVIP liver-targeted platform, DDP dual-target delivery platform, and NSDP neural targeting platform. Sino Biopharm stated on its official platform that these core platforms have a potential value of tens of billions of dollars and will push more products into the clinical stage between 2026-2027.

Currently, Higia has four products in the clinical stage and over 20 projects in the preclinical stage, with two out-licensing agreements already reached. Its R&D pipeline covers three major chronic disease fields: weight loss metabolism, cardio-cerebrovascular, and nervous system, all of which have First-in-class (globally pioneering) and Best-in-class (best in class) potential.

Among them, the MVIP liver-targeting platform is the world’s first and currently the only clinically validated siRNA delivery technology platform capable of achieving ‘once-a-year’ long-acting dosing. Kylo-11, independently developed by Higia based on the MVIP delivery platform, is the world’s first long-acting Lp(a)-lowering drug ('cholesterol-lowering injection') with ‘once-a-year’ efficacy. A single subcutaneous injection can achieve a 95% reduction in Lp(a), with expected efficacy lasting over a year, and at a much lower dose than similar products, offering higher safety and convenience of use.

Currently, Kylo-11 is undergoing international multi-center Phase II clinical trials in both China and the U.S., with the first patient dosing expected to be completed by October 2025. This makes it the fastest-progressing small nucleic acid product for treating high Lp(a) levels domestically.

Higia also has an in-depth presence in the weight loss field. One of its weight loss pipelines, Kylo-0603, is the world's first THR-β small molecule agonist that achieves specific liver targeting through GalNAc conjugation, potentially delivering better efficacy and safety at a lower dosage, providing a new oral option for fat reduction while preserving muscle and metabolic-related fatty liver disease. Its Phase II clinical trial is expected to begin in the first half of 2026.

In addition, Sino Biopharm noted at the briefing that Higia’s pipeline HJY-10 (INHBE), a next-generation weight-loss and muscle-enhancing therapy, may achieve once-every-six-months or once-a-year dosing.

The small nucleic acid sector is experiencing explosive growth. Over the past year, overseas small nucleic acid companies' stock prices have repeatedly hit new highs, with Alnylam’s market cap surpassing $50 billion at one point, while Ionis and Arrowhead reached market caps of hundreds of billions. In 2025, the total global transactions involving small nucleic acid assets exceeded $35 billion, growing 40% year-on-year. According to PharmaCube database statistics, as of December 3, 2025, there were 23 small nucleic acid drugs approved globally (including withdrawn products), seven of which are siRNA drugs.

Xie Qirun believes that small nucleic acids will be the most watched area in 2026.

Less than half a month into 2026, the small nucleic acid field has seen continuous developments. On January 6, Sanofi's small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapy drug, volanesorsen sodium injection (brand name: Waylivra), was officially approved by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). It will be used on the basis of dietary control to reduce triglyceride levels in adult patients with familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS); On January 9, RiboBio (06938.HK), a small nucleic acid company invested in by Legend Capital and Lenovo Star under Lenovo Holdings (03396.HK), was officially listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, becoming the first 'small nucleic acid drug stock' in Hong Kong.

In fact, this is not the first time Sino Biopharm has paid attention to the small nucleic acid field. On December 8, 2025, Shengyin Bio, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of innovative RNAi therapies, announced that it had completed a Series B financing round of over US$110 million. In this round of financing, well-known industrial institutions led the investment, with Sino Biopharm Group and multiple other enterprises and institutions following the investment. Additionally, Eli Lilly and Co made a strategic investment.

At the 44th JPMorgan Healthcare Conference in 2026, Sino Biopharm may further disclose information related to the acquisition of Hegia and pipeline progress.

Regarding future strategy arrangements and areas of focus in the small nucleic acid field, Sino Biopharm responded to Era Finance, stating that the company has been deeply involved in R&D in the small nucleic acid field for many years. In addition to this acquisition of Hegia, they have also invested in Shengyin Bio, an early-stage small nucleic acid platform with global potential.

"Successful mergers and acquisitions are a key path for pharmaceutical companies to achieve leapfrog development, as has been proven by the vast majority of MNCs (multinational pharmaceutical companies). Sino Biopharm started from mergers and acquisitions; you could say M&A has always been part of our DNA." Sino Biopharm explained to Era Finance that in the past decade, they have cooperated with more than 30 Biotech and Pharma companies, helping them complete their innovative transformation. Since last year, they have accelerated the pace of acquisitions.

Previously, Xie Xin, Executive Director and Senior Vice President of Sino Biopharm, stated in an exclusive interview with Era Finance that as one of China’s largest pharmaceutical companies, their core philosophy is, "to try not to miss any new technology, new product, or promising products and technology platforms within the four major fields." "We have always focused on the four major areas of oncology, liver disease metabolism, respiratory infections, and surgical analgesia. With a clear path, we will comprehensively screen different technological approaches, targets, and corresponding leading companies both domestically and internationally. As long as it falls within our coverage, we will absolutely not miss it. Wide coverage is our strategy," Xie Xin further explained.

"We will continue to focus on innovative platforms with potential worldwide." Sino Biopharm told Era Finance.

On January 14, Sino Biopharm opened with gains, and by midday closing, it was trading at HKD 7.19 per share, up 4.05%.

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