ARCH Venture Partners and Population Health Partners have launched US biotech Sentivera around an undisclosed immunology asset from China's Haisco Pharmaceutical Group (SZSE: 002653), in a NewCo licensing deal worth more than USD 1.5 billion. Haisco will receive USD 75.89 million in combined upfront and equity consideration while retaining Greater China rights to the program, which recently received Chinese IND clearance for development in type 2 inflammatory diseases.
The unnamed program is described by Haisco as a core immunology asset targeting type 2 inflammatory diseases. Preclinical studies demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity and a favorable safety profile, according to the company, though its molecular target and modality have not been disclosed. IND approval was awarded in China earlier this month. Sentivera receives exclusive development, manufacturing, and commercialization rights outside Greater China, with Haisco eligible for up to USD 1.46 billion in development, regulatory, and commercial milestones plus mid-single-digit to low-double-digit royalties on net sales.
The USD 75.89 million combined upfront and equity consideration is disclosed by Haisco for the deal. By comparison, Haisco's April 2026 agreement with AbbVie covering a portfolio of novel pain compounds carried a USD 30 million upfront against a USD 745 million total, while the June 2026 license to Nuvectis Pharma (Nasdaq: NVCT) for two clinical-stage assets in oncology and complement indications involved a USD 40 million upfront against approximately USD 1.46 billion in total potential value.
Haisco described the transaction as a 'NewCo' partnership in structure rather than a traditional license-out model, giving Haisco an equity stake in Sentivera and ongoing participation in the venture's upside. The Sentivera deal is the second time in 2026 that Haisco has used the NewCo model. In January, Haisco granted global rights to HSK39004, a dual PDE3/4 inhibitor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, to AirNexis Therapeutics — a purpose-built venture that launched with a USD 200 million Series A to advance the Phase II asset. In both cases, Haisco receives immediate liquidity, transferring clinical execution risk to an external vehicle while retaining participation in any future exit.