GSK struck an agreement to license Empirico’s EMP‑012, a Phase 1 siRNA candidate for COPD, paying $85 million upfront with additional milestones that could push the deal value into the high hundreds of millions. GSK framed EMP‑012 as a long‑acting approach that could address non‑type 2 inflammatory COPD populations. The transaction broadens GSK’s respiratory portfolio and complements other respiratory and oligonucleotide investments. GSK emphasized potential for EMP‑012 to function as both monotherapy and part of combination regimens. The deal exemplifies Big Pharma’s continuing appetite for oligonucleotide modalities targeted to chronic diseases, and will test whether inhaled or lung‑targeted RNA therapeutics can deliver durable benefit with acceptable delivery and safety profiles.