Hanmi Licenses Innovative Oral Delivery Platform to Gilead

Hanmi Pharm has entered into a significant global licensing agreement with Gilead Sciences, Inc. and Health Hope Pharma (HHP) to grant Gilead exclusive rights to develop and commercialize Encequidar, an innovative drug utilizing Hanmi’s proprietary oral delivery system, OrascoveryTM. The announcement was made on September 29, 2025, from the company’s headquarters in Seoul, South Korea.

Under the terms of this agreement, Gilead will receive exclusive global rights to Encequidar specifically within the field of virology. Alongside this, Hanmi and HHP will provide essential drug supplies, share technical expertise, and collaborate as key project partners. The agreement includes an upfront payment for both Hanmi and HHP, along with potential milestones in development and sales, as well as low single-digit royalties on net sales.

Strategic Collaboration Enhances Drug Development

Dr. Dennis Lam, founder of HHP, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “We are pleased to announce the licensing agreement with Gilead and Hanmi. This demonstrates the potential of Encequidar as a first-in-class P-gp inhibitor to create more oral formulations in multiple fields.” He emphasized the importance of this milestone not only for HHP but also for the broader biotech industry in Hong Kong.

In a similar vein, Jae-Hyun Park, CEO of Hanmi Pharm, highlighted that this agreement validates the company’s formulation technology and research and development capabilities. He noted how the collaboration with a leading global partner opens new growth opportunities. Park stated, “We will continue to expand strategic partnerships that can accelerate innovation and patient access worldwide.”

History and Future of Encequidar

Encequidar was initially discovered through the OrascoveryTM platform and developed by Hanmi. The company first licensed Encequidar, along with the oral anticancer drug Oraxol, to Athenex in 2011. However, following Athenex’s insolvency, the rights were transferred to HHP and other partners. Currently, HHP is conducting clinical trials for Oraxol in the United States, Hong Kong SAR, and New Zealand, having initiated these trials in June 2025. Plans are in place to sequentially launch the product across Europe, Asia, and the United States.

This collaboration not only represents a significant step for all parties involved but also underscores the innovative potential of oral drug delivery systems in the pharmaceutical industry. The partnership is expected to enhance the availability of effective treatments for patients worldwide.