Hanmi Pharmaceutical’s Next-Generation Obesity Drugs Heat Up Europe After the U.S.

Next-Generation Triple Agonist HM15275
Advancing to Global Phase 2 Clinical Trials
World’s First “Muscle-Increasing” HM17321
Focus on Obese Primate Studies

Hanmi Pharmaceutical, the core business company of Hanmi Science, is securing broad future growth engines in the global market based on advanced research results from multiple differentiated new drug pipelines that surpass the limitations of existing obesity treatments.

On August 24, Hanmi Pharmaceutical announced that it will participate in the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD 2025), to be held in Vienna, Austria, from September 15 to 19. The company will present a total of six non-clinical research results, including one oral presentation, on next-generation obesity treatments: the triple agonist (LA-GLP/GIP/GCG, HM15275), a novel obesity drug (LA-UCN2, HM17321), and an oral obesity treatment (HM101460).

Hanmi Pharmaceutical will participate in the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD 2025) held in Vienna, Austria, from the 15th to the 19th of next month, presenting a total of six research results on next-generation obesity drugs. Hanmi Pharmaceutical

The main presentations will cover: ▲ Mechanistic insights into the potent anti-obesity effects of HM15275 ▲ Skeletal muscle proteome analysis supporting HM17321’s muscle growth and metabolic improvement effects ▲ Weight loss efficacy of HM17321 in obese primate models and incretin combination efficacy in rodent models ▲ Evidence of HM17321’s improvement in body composition, energy expenditure, and metabolic health ▲ Potential beneficial effects of HM17321 on muscle and skeletal health based on blood proteomics ▲ Demonstration of HM101460’s potential as an oral GLP-1 agonist.

HM15275 and HM17321 are next-generation pipelines that continue the innovation of “efeglenatide,” which is targeted for commercialization in the second half of next year. Each is demonstrating potential to be developed as a “Best-in-Class” and “First-in-Class” drug in the field of obesity treatment, respectively.

These two pipelines, aimed at the global obesity treatment market, attracted significant attention at the American Diabetes Association (ADA 2025) in June, drawing large crowds. Currently, active discussions are underway with leading global companies regarding technology transfer and partnerships.

At EASD 2025, Hanmi Pharmaceutical is expected to present results demonstrating the clinical applicability of HM17321 in obese primate models, generating high expectations. Additionally, although Hanmi Pharmaceutical has not previously disclosed the specific mechanism by which HM17321 directly increases muscle mass, the company will, for the first time globally, present molecular biological findings from mouse muscle proteome studies that elucidate HM17321’s muscle-building mechanism and demonstrate its blood glucose control effects through metabolic adaptation.

These research results will be released through an oral presentation by Haemin Jeon, Head of Clinical Translation at Hanmi Pharmaceutical R&D Center (Executive Director). In addition, several R&D Center researchers will introduce Hanmi’s new paradigm-shifting obesity drugs, which are expected to create opportunities for productive collaboration with global pharmaceutical companies.

A Hanmi Pharmaceutical representative stated, “The European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD 2025), following the American Diabetes Association (ADA 2025) held in June, is expected to be another stage where Hanmi’s next-generation obesity drug pipeline’s differentiated R&D competitiveness will be highlighted. Hanmi Pharmaceutical is rapidly preparing for global expansion, focusing on ‘balance of quantity and quality,’ ‘accessibility and sustainability,’ and ‘science-based differentiation.’”

Next-Generation Triple Agonist HM15275, Advancing to Global Phase 2 Clinical Trials

HM15275 is a precisely engineered triple agonist that aims to achieve weight loss effects surpassing those of bariatric surgery (up to 25%) by mechanisms that suppress appetite and promote energy metabolism. Through metabolic optimization, it also minimizes muscle loss, making it a promising next-generation obesity drug candidate from Hanmi Pharmaceutical that is expected to improve weight loss quality.

Previously, Hanmi Pharmaceutical demonstrated through preclinical studies that repeated administration of HM15275 in obese animal models resulted in superior weight loss efficacy compared to currently marketed obesity drugs such as semaglutide (Wegovy), tirzepatide (Zepbound), and the investigational drug retatrutide, highlighting its differentiated competitiveness.

In the Phase 1 clinical results presented at the American Diabetes Association (ADA 2025) in June, HM15275 showed not only good safety and tolerability but also pharmacokinetic properties supporting long-term duration of action.

Introduction to major research abstracts presented by Hanmi Pharmaceutical at EASD 2025. Hanmi Pharmaceutical

Notably, in the highest dose cohort (0.5-2-4-8mg) with four weekly administrations during Phase 1, an average weight loss of 4.81% compared to placebo was observed on Day 29. Additionally, among participants who achieved the greatest weight loss after four weeks of dosing, a 10.64% reduction was observed on Day 43.

Based on these encouraging results, Hanmi Pharmaceutical submitted an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in July for Phase 2 clinical trials of HM15275 in obese patients, followed by a similar IND submission to the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) on August 1.

World’s First “Muscle-Increasing” HM17321, Focus on Obese Primate Studies

HM17321 is being developed as the world’s first innovative obesity drug that not only compensates for muscle loss but also simultaneously achieves “muscle mass increase” and “selective fat reduction”-outcomes previously considered impossible.

This drug is a UCN 2 (Urocortin 2) analog that selectively targets the CRF2 (corticotropin-releasing factor 2) receptor, rather than incretin receptors such as GLP-1, and was designed using state-of-the-art artificial intelligence and structural modeling technologies internalized at Hanmi Pharmaceutical R&D Center.

In studies using overweight primate (Cynomolgus monkey) models presented at the American Diabetes Association (ADA 2025) in June, Hanmi Pharmaceutical confirmed not only HM17321’s superior weight loss effect but also improvements in body composition, with increased muscle mass and decreased fat mass, demonstrating consistent efficacy in preclinical stages.

Furthermore, at the ISMB/ECCB 2025 conference in July, Hanmi Pharmaceutical presented integrated analyses of animal proteomics data and human-derived bio big data, showing that HM17321 induces changes similar to those observed in individuals with low fat mass, high lean mass, and strong grip strength.

At EASD 2025, Hanmi Pharmaceutical will release research results from obese primate (Rhesus monkey) models treated with HM17321, covering not only weight loss and body composition improvement but also blood glucose control and cardiovascular benefits.

This series of research results suggests that the efficacy of HM17321 observed in animal studies may be replicated in humans, highlighting its potential as a “game changer” in the obesity treatment market. Hanmi Pharmaceutical is focusing its organizational capabilities on the accelerated development of HM17321 and plans to submit an IND application to the U.S. FDA for Phase 1 clinical trials in September.

Choi Inyoung, Head of the R&D Center (Executive Director), stated, “Hanmi’s obesity treatment portfolio is clearly differentiated by its ‘all-encompassing innovation’ that addresses not only weight loss but also qualitative improvements, muscle preservation, treatment durability, and dosing convenience-challenges faced by patients and healthcare professionals in real clinical settings. This comprehensive strategy is expected to greatly contribute to meeting unmet needs, including sarcopenia, obesity in the elderly, and patients with reduced physical function.”