Overview
- Hanmi and Eli Lilly signed the licensing deal that grants Lilly sole rights to develop, manufacture and sell sonefpeglutide worldwide excluding Korea, a transaction announced on Monday and now in effect.
- Under the deal Hanmi received $75 million up front and can earn up to about $1.185 billion in clinical, regulatory and commercial milestones plus royalties if the drug reaches the market.
- Hanmi will complete its ongoing global Phase 2 trial of sonefpeglutide in short bowel syndrome while Lilly reviews the existing nonclinical and clinical data to decide on further studies and commercial strategy.
- Sonefpeglutide is a long‑acting GLP‑2 analogue built on Hanmi’s LAPSCOVERY platform, a technology that aims to boost intestinal growth, reduce inflammation and help regenerate the intestinal lining; the platform has supported an FDA‑approved biologic and several other global programs.
- Investors reacted positively to the deal with Hanmi shares jumping after the announcement and the transaction could speed global access to a new treatment option for patients with rare intestinal disorders if later trials and approvals succeed.