Hanmi Pharmaceutical has signed a major technology export agreement with U.S. pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly to transfer the rights to its bio-new drug candidate “sonepegletide.”

On the 1st, Hanmi Pharmaceutical announced that it had signed a license agreement with Eli Lilly for the development, manufacturing and commercialization of sonepegletide. The contract is worth up to USD 1.26 billion (approximately KRW 1,897.3 billion). Sonepegletide is a bio-new drug candidate that imitates GLP-2 (glucagon-like peptide-2), an endogenous hormone that supports intestinal mucosal growth and regeneration. It incorporates Hanmi’s proprietary “LAPSCOVERY” technology, which extends drug efficacy, and is currently being developed as a treatment for rare gastrointestinal diseases such as short bowel syndrome (a disorder caused by impaired small intestinal function that prevents nutrient absorption).

Under this agreement, Hanmi Pharmaceutical will transfer to Eli Lilly the rights for development, manufacturing and commercialization in all global markets except Korea. Of the total contract value, Hanmi will immediately receive USD 75 million (approximately KRW 112.9 billion) as an upfront payment. The remaining USD 1.185 billion (approximately KRW 1,784.4 billion) will be received as milestone payments tied to clinical development, regulatory approval and commercialization achievements. After product launch, Hanmi is also scheduled to receive running royalties based on sales scale.

Lim Joo-hyun, Vice Chairman of Hanmi Group, said, “It is highly meaningful that Eli Lilly, an innovation company attracting worldwide attention, has highly evaluated the development potential of sonepegletide.”

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