#South Korea #Seoul #Gilead Sciences #Hanmi Pharm #Encequidar

Hanmi Pharm Collaborates with Gilead on Oral Drug Delivery

On September 29, 2025, Hanmi Pharmaceuticals announced an exciting global licensing deal with Gilead Sciences, Inc., granting Gilead exclusive rights to develop and commercialize a groundbreaking drug, Encequidar. This agreement marks a significant milestone in the field of oral drug delivery, an area of keen interest among pharmaceutical researchers and industry leaders alike.

Encequidar and Orascovery™ Technology

The collaboration centers around Encequidar, a P-gp inhibitor which was initially developed through Hanmi’s proprietary Orascovery™ platform. This innovative technology transforms injectable drugs into oral formulations, which has the potential to revolutionize treatment protocols, especially in virology.

Dr. Dennis Lam, founder of Health Hope Pharma (HHP), expressed his enthusiasm about the agreement, stating it highlights the potential of Encequidar to pioneer oral formulations across various therapeutic fields. The deal not only signifies an advancement for Hanmi Pharm but also reflects growth opportunities for Health Hope Pharma, which is also involved in ongoing clinical trials for Oraxol, another innovative drug stemming from this collaboration.

Strategic Goals and Future Developments

As part of this agreement, both Hanmi and HHP will support Gilead by providing drug supply, sharing essential technical knowledge, and acting as integral project partners. The financial arrangements include an upfront payment to both companies alongside potential royalties from net sales, thus aligning incentives in the collaborative efforts to bring this innovative treatment to market.

Jae-Hyun Park, CEO of Hanmi Pharm, stated that this license agreement underscores Hanmi's strong formulation capabilities and vital research and development expertise. It opens the doors to new growth avenues through partnerships with leading pharmaceutical firms like Gilead. This proactive approach reflects Hanmi’s commitment to expanding its strategic collaborations to foster innovation and improve accessibility for patients worldwide.

Historical Context and Future Outlook

Initially, in 2011, Hanmi licensed Encequidar, along with Oraxol, to Athenex. However, following Athenex's financial difficulties, the rights were handed over to HHP, which is now pushing forward with clinical trials, rapidly progressing since June 2025. With pending launches in Europe, Asia, and the US, HHP's focus on oral cancer treatments is expected to gain significant traction.

The partnership with Gilead signifies a new chapter for Hanmi, as it showcases their technology’s potential on a global scale. It aims not only to enhance oral drug accessibility but also to reinforce Hanmi’s position as a forefront innovator in the pharmaceutical industry.

Conclusion

Overall, this collaboration is poised to not only benefit the companies involved but most importantly, to provide new hope for patients needing efficient and accessible treatment options. As Hanmi Pharm and Gilead Sciences navigate this partnership, the industry will be watching closely for further developments in Encequidar and its applications in oral drug formulations. The future of drug delivery is bright, thanks to innovations from companies like Hanmi and Gilead.