GSK licensed global rights to Empirico’s EMP‑012, an inhaled siRNA in Phase 1 for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), paying $85 million upfront with up to ~$745 million in potential payments. GSK positioned the candidate as a long‑acting oligonucleotide targeting non‑type 2 inflammatory pathways, aiming to address patient subgroups with limited treatment options. Empirico will continue current development activities while GSK plans to integrate EMP‑012 into its respiratory franchise as both monotherapy and combination therapy. GSK emphasized the candidate’s potential to complement its existing respiratory portfolio and to reach patients with non‑eosinophilic disease where biologics have limited impact. The deal highlights big pharma’s strategy of buying differentiated oligonucleotide platforms and early clinical assets to fill specialty gaps in respiratory disease and diversify modality exposure.