GlaxoSmithKline struck a global exclusive licensing deal with China’s Frontier Biotechnologies for two siRNA therapeutic candidates—one IND‑ready and one preclinical—paying $40 million upfront and up to $963 million in milestones. GSK obtained worldwide rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize both programs while Frontier will continue early development in China. Separately in the region, Astellas inked a global collaboration with Vir Biotechnology to advance VIR‑5500, a dual‑masked T‑cell engager in Phase 1 for advanced prostate cancer. Both moves underscore big pharma’s push into oligonucleotide and engineered T‑cell engager platforms sourced from Asian innovation ecosystems.