Hanmi Pharmaceutical is accelerating its global expansion by leveraging its independently developed GLP-1-based obesity and metabolic disease treatment, epeglanotide.
The company announced on January 28 that it has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Mexico-based pharmaceutical company Sanfer. The agreement covers epeglanotide as well as Hanmi’s diabetes combination products under the Dafaron family, including Dafaron and Dafaron Duo XR.
Under the deal, Hanmi Pharmaceutical will supply finished products, while Sanfer will be responsible for regulatory approval, marketing, distribution, and sales in Mexico.
Mexico is considered one of the world’s high-obesity countries, with an obesity prevalence rate of nearly 37 percent and a diabetes prevalence rate of around 16 percent. Given the strong demand for weight loss treatments and subsequent glycemic control, Hanmi said the market presents significant strategic potential for epeglanotide.
Founded in 1941, Sanfer is Mexico’s largest privately owned pharmaceutical company, with a well-established sales and distribution network across Latin America and in-house research and development capabilities. The company operates in more than 20 countries in Latin America and the United States, and recently strengthened its position through the acquisition of biopharmaceutical firm Probiomed.
The two companies plan to gradually expand their cooperation beyond epeglanotide to other metabolic disease treatments, while also discussing the introduction of additional products and joint marketing strategies over the medium to long term.
Ricardo Amtmann, CEO of Sanfer, said the partnership aligns with the company’s mission to improve patient outcomes through innovative, high-quality medicines, adding that Hanmi’s obesity and diabetes portfolio is well positioned to address Mexico’s growing healthcare challenges.
Park Jae-hyun, CEO of Hanmi Pharmaceutical, said the agreement demonstrates the company’s formulation and R&D capabilities on the global stage, noting that Hanmi’s GLP-1 therapy and diabetes treatments could contribute to improving public health in Mexico.
Hanmi Pharmaceutical submitted a regulatory approval application for epeglanotide to Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in December. The company is also pursuing label expansion into diabetes treatment, with plans to seek obesity approval in the second half of 2026 and an additional diabetes indication by 2028.
