April 2026- GSK plc announced the completion of its acquisition of 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

Click here to join our WhatsApp channel here

HS235 is designed with enhanced selectivity providing the potential to lower the risk of bleeding, pericardial effusion and dose-limiting increases in hemoglobin, 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.

Also read: WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean launches AI Community of Practice

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.”