Hanmi Pharmaceutical is embarking on the development of digital convergence medicines, combining pharmaceuticals with digital technology, centered around its obesity treatment drug EPPE. The company’s strategy aims to create a novel obesity treatment model that not only reduces weight but also ensures ongoing management of weight and lifestyle habits post-medication.
Industry sources reported on Wednesday that Hanmi Pharmaceutical is advancing the development of Korea’s first digital convergence medicine, integrating EPPE with a digital platform, slated for launch in the latter half of this year. The company aims to submit its Investigational New Drug (IND) application for the digital convergence medicine clinical trial phase 3 in the second half of this year.
Digital convergence medicine combines pharmaceuticals with digital medical devices or digital health support tools, enhancing the drug’s biological therapeutic effects with patient management capabilities through digital technology.
Hanmi Pharmaceutical envisions a system where patients prescribed EPPE can log their weight, meals, exercise, and medication information on a dedicated Apple lication. Artificial intelligence (AI) will then analyze this data to provide personalized health management services.
The core of this approach lies in not only managing medication schedules but also offering exercise and dietary challenges to improve patient adherence and lifestyle habits. This strategy aims to integrate medication treatment and lifestyle management into a unified system, supporting patients in maintaining a healthy state even after weight loss.
Hanmi Pharmaceutical has dubbed this initiative Total Lifestyle Care Platform (TLS). The goal is to establish a virtuous cycle that connects treatment and lifestyle management from weight loss to maintenance.
The company is also exploring features to support healthcare providers’ prescriptions. They plan to develop a clinical decision support system (CDSS) that aggregates patients’ medication information along with data on weight, eating habits, and activity levels to assist healthcare professionals in their treatment decisions.
Hanmi Pharmaceutical is considering expanding this digital convergence medicine strategy beyond obesity to various chronic conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and mental health issues.
Obesity Drug Candidate Exported to Genentech for 3.2 trillion KRW, Largest Scale in History
Recently, Hanmi Pharmaceutical announced a global technology export deal for its obesity drug candidate HM17321, underscoring its competitiveness in the obesity and metabolic disease sectors. The agreement with Roche subsidiary Genentech could reach up to 2.3 billion USD, including milestones for development, approval, and commercialization stages.
The upfront payment received upon contract signing amounts to 190 million USD, which represents about 8.3% of the total contract value. The remainder will be paid as specified goals are met during the clinical, approval, and commercialization processes, with additional royalties based on sales after product launch.
This deal marks the largest technology export agreement signed by a South Korean pharmaceutical and biotech company for a single drug candidate.
HM17321, a UCN2 analog from the non-incretin class, aims to achieve both weight loss and muscle preservation. Hanmi Pharmaceutical initiated Phase 1 clinical trials in the U.S. last November, with Genentech set to continue development from Phase 2 onwards after the completion of Phase 1.
Hanmi Pharmaceutical’s strategy extends beyond developing new drug candidates to enhancing the treatment experience of its upcoming obesity medication through digital technology, thereby strengthening its position in the obesity sector.