Key Points
- Sino Biopharmaceutical agreed to buy Hangzhou Hygieia Biomedical for up to 1.20 billion yuan ($172 million), partly in cash and shares.
- Hygieia’s expertise lies in siRNA drug platforms targeting weight management, metabolic, cardiovascular and neurological disorders.
- The acquisition supports Sino Biopharmaceutical’s strategy to strengthen its innovative drug pipeline and expand into advanced biotech areas.
Hong Kong-listed Sino Biopharmaceutical said it will acquire Chinese drugmaker Hangzhou Hygieia Biomedical for up to 1.20 billion yuan ($172 million) as part of its strategy to strengthen its pipeline of chronic-disease treatments. A unit of Sino Biopharmaceutical will buy a 100% stake in Hygieia, with the purchase price to be paid partly in cash and partly in newly issued shares, the company said. Upon completion, Hangzhou Hygieia will become a wholly owned subsidiary of the larger pharmaceutical group.
The acquisition adds a clinical-stage biotech company focused on developing small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapies to Sino Biopharmaceutical’s portfolio. Hygieia has built an end-to-end drug development platform that spans from target discovery through clinical proof-of-concept, according to company descriptions. Its research pipeline includes experimental treatments aimed at weight management, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and neurological conditions.
Sino Biopharmaceutical, one of China’s largest healthcare firms, has been actively expanding through acquisitions of innovative biotech assets as it seeks to diversify beyond traditional medicines. Last year, the company agreed to buy LaNova Medicines in a deal worth up to nearly $951 million, further underscoring its strategy of bolstering high-growth research areas.
The move reflects broader trends in the pharmaceutical industry, where larger firms acquire younger biotech companies to tap into cutting-edge technologies such as RNA-based therapeutics and gene-targeted treatments. Analysts say such deals can accelerate development timelines by integrating specialised platforms into established commercial operations.
Hygieia’s focus on siRNA delivery technology aims to exploit the growing potential of RNA interference as a therapeutic approach to treat diseases with high unmet medical need. Its platform is designed to improve the effectiveness and stability of siRNA drugs, which have attracted global interest following recent successes in clinical research.
The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to close later in 2026. Sino Biopharmaceutical said the acquisition will enhance its research capabilities while helping to expand its footprint in emerging therapeutic categories.
