Hanmi Pharmaceutical continued to shine at ObesityWeek 2025 in the U.S., following last year's participation, reaffirming its exceptional drug development capabilities. The company presented two breakthrough candidates: the novel obesity treatment HM17321 (LA-UCN2) and the next-generation triple-action obesity drug HM15275 (LA-GLP/GIP/GCG). These research outcomes underscore Hanmi's extensive global research expertise.
For two consecutive years, Hanmi’s presence at this prominent international platform has strengthened its position in the world's largest pharmaceutical market, the U.S. The latest presentations highlight Hanmi’s differentiated technology and strategic approaches, emphasizing its potential to maintain a competitive edge over rival global big pharma firms.
From November 4 to 7 (local time), Hanmi announced at ObesityWeek 2025 in Atlanta the results of four studies related to the two innovative drugs. HM17321 aims to be a "First-in-Class" and "Best-in-Class" development by promoting simultaneous muscle growth and fat breakdown, progressing through clinical trials.
Preclinical studies of HM17321 utilized Hanmi's advanced AI-driven platform, HARP, to design a non-incretin-based drug that diverges from traditional GLP-1 analogs. The focus is on achieving high-quality weight loss by enhancing muscle hypertrophy and lipolysis concurrently. It has received IND approval from the U.S. FDA, marking its entrance into clinical development. The research also demonstrated that HM17321 reduces fat, improves insulin resistance, and enhances metabolic functions.
Moreover, experiments with high-fat diet-induced obesity models confirmed that HM17321 activates mTOR pathways to promote muscle growth and simultaneously stimulates lipolysis while suppressing lipogenesis in adipose tissue. The studies further showed favorable effects on body composition, including increased muscle mass and reduced fat, along with higher energy expenditure compared to semaglutide, a well-known obesity drug. Additionally, ongoing administration of HM17321 improved blood glucose control, showing superiority over semaglutide in glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity tests.
Hanmi’s triple-action drug, HM15275, targets GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors simultaneously, designed to treat obesity and related metabolic diseases comprehensively. The clinical data disclosed at the conference confirmed its safety, tolerability, and long-term pharmacokinetic stability, alongside significant weight loss effects. Currently, HM15275 has received IND approval from the U.S. FDA and is moving into phase 2 clinical trials.
Hanmi’s R&D Center President, Inyoung Choi, stated, “These research achievements, presented at major international conferences such as ADA 2025, EASD 2025, and ObesityWeek 2025, demonstrate the scientific expertise Hanmi has accumulated over 20 years in incretin and metabolic disease areas. We aim to continue developing innovative drugs that improve the quality of life for obese patients worldwide.”
Additionally, according to patent analysis by GlobalData Plc, Hanmi has maintained the top position globally in patents related to obesity and metabolic GLP-1 receptor agonists from 2021 to 2023, solidifying its leadership in innovative pharmaceutical technology.
