Alphabiz - Hanmi Pharmaceutical Transfers Global Rights for Encequidar to Gilead Sciences

Photo courtesy of Yonhap News

[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] Hanmi Pharmaceutical has partnered with U.S. biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences to expand the global reach of its oral absorption enhancer, Encequidar. The agreement is recognized as another milestone demonstrating Hanmi’s innovative drug delivery technology on the global stage.



On the 29th, Hanmi Pharmaceutical announced that, together with Hong Kong–based HealthHope Pharma (HHP), it has signed a licensing agreement granting Gilead exclusive global rights to develop and commercialize Encequidar.



Encequidar, developed through Hanmi’s proprietary Orascovery platform technology, is an innovative compound that enables the conversion of injectable drugs into oral formulations.



Under the terms of the agreement, Hanmi and HHP will grant Gilead exclusive rights in the virology field while serving as key partners by supplying active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and finished products, as well as providing technical expertise.



Hanmi and HHP will receive an upfront payment, milestone payments tied to development, regulatory approval, and commercialization, as well as royalties on future product sales.



Currently, HHP is conducting global clinical trials of Orascovery-based oral anticancer drug Oraxol in the United States, Hong Kong, and New Zealand, with plans for phased launches across Europe, Asia, and the United States. Hanmi initially licensed Oraxol to U.S. company Athenex in 2011; however, following Athenex’s bankruptcy, the rights were transferred to HHP and other parties.

 

Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)