SBP GROUP (01177) saw an increase of over 3%. As of the latest update, the stock was up 2.65% to HK$5.81, with a turnover of HK$357 million. The catalyst stems from a recent Goldman Sachs research report. The report notes that SBP GROUP has entered into an agreement with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to secure exclusive commercialization rights in China for bepirovirsen, a potential first-in-class antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapy aimed at functionally curing chronic hepatitis B. GSK submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) in China this past March, with approval anticipated in 2027. Under the agreement, SBP GROUP will leverage its established hepatitis infrastructure to fully manage importation, distribution, hospital access, and promotion, and will record all sales of bepirovirsen in China. The report highlights that bepirovirsen, as a first-in-class therapy targeting a functional cure for chronic hepatitis B, strategically aligns with the treatment priorities for China's estimated 75 million chronic hepatitis B patients and is poised to upgrade SBP GROUP's hepatitis product portfolio. Goldman Sachs views SBP GROUP as an ideal commercial partner for bepirovirsen, citing its nearly four decades of experience and insight in China's hepatitis market, a sales force of approximately 2,000 personnel, an extensive network covering over 5,000 medical centers, and a proven track record of successfully launching blockbuster hepatitis drugs such as Runzhong/Tianqing Ganmei. The firm estimates bepirovirsen's peak sales potential to be around RMB 5 billion.