GSK commits $745M on precision COPD drug targeting overlooked patients

GSK is acquiring rights to Empirico’s phase 1 siRNA drug EMP-012 for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), paying $85M upfront and up to $660M in milestones to target inflammatory pathways in patients with limited treatment options.

Why it matters: COPD remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, yet many patients, especially those with non-type 2 inflammation, lack effective therapies. EMP-012 offers a new precision approach that could fill this treatment gap.

Backstory: EMP-012 is a small interfering RNA (siRNA) drug developed by San Diego biotech Empirico. It targets a specific inflammatory pathway unrelated to smoking status or baseline inflammation type. The drug fits into GSK’s broader effort to reshape COPD care through targeted, long-acting treatments.

Big picture: The deal reinforces GSK’s growing investment in oligonucleotide therapies, a field it’s actively expanding via partnerships with Ionis, Arrowhead, and Wave Life Sciences. EMP-012 complements GSK’s recent acquisitions and FDA approval for Nucala in COPD, as it aims to serve a wider spectrum of disease subtypes.