SEOUL, South Korea, June 1, 2026
Hanmi Pharm. Co., Ltd. has entered into a landmark global licensing agreement with Eli Lilly and Company for the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of sonefpeglutide (LAPSGLP-2 analog), a novel long-acting biologic candidate designed to address multiple diseases involving intestinal health and regeneration. The agreement represents one of Hanmi’s most significant global business development achievements to date and highlights growing industry interest in therapies targeting the glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) pathway. Under the terms of the deal, Lilly will obtain exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize sonefpeglutide outside Korea, while Hanmi will continue its ongoing global Phase 2 clinical trial in short bowel syndrome (SBS) through completion. The transaction includes a $75 million upfront payment and up to $1.185 billion in development, regulatory, and commercialization milestone payments, in addition to future royalty opportunities, bringing the total potential value of the agreement to approximately $1.26 billion.
Lilly Expands Pipeline with Novel GLP-2 Biologic Candidate
The licensing agreement significantly strengthens Lilly’s pipeline in gastrointestinal and metabolic disease research while providing access to one of Hanmi’s most advanced biologic development programs. Sonefpeglutide is based on Hanmi’s proprietary LAPSCOVERY™ long-acting biologics platform, a technology designed to extend drug half-life and improve therapeutic performance. The candidate is engineered to harness the biological effects of GLP-2, a naturally occurring peptide known for promoting intestinal growth, reducing inflammation, and supporting the repair and regeneration of intestinal tissue.
Hanmi has spent several years investigating the therapeutic potential of GLP-2 through extensive nonclinical research and scientific presentations at international medical conferences. The company believes sonefpeglutide may offer meaningful clinical benefits across multiple disease indications characterized by intestinal dysfunction and compromised mucosal integrity. By securing global rights to the program, Lilly gains access to a differentiated biologic platform with potential applications extending beyond short bowel syndrome into broader gastrointestinal and inflammatory disease areas.
Phase 2 Development Continues in Short Bowel Syndrome
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A key component of the agreement is the continuation of Hanmi’s ongoing global Phase 2 clinical trial in short bowel syndrome, a rare and debilitating condition that occurs when patients lack sufficient functional intestine to absorb nutrients and fluids effectively. Patients with SBS often require long-term nutritional support and face significant challenges related to intestinal failure and quality of life.
Hanmi will remain responsible for completing the ongoing study, generating additional clinical evidence that could help support future development activities. Following completion of the Phase 2 program, Lilly plans to evaluate further clinical opportunities for sonefpeglutide based on accumulated clinical and nonclinical data. The collaboration combines Hanmi’s innovative biologics expertise with Lilly’s extensive global development, regulatory, manufacturing, and commercialization capabilities, creating a pathway for accelerated advancement of the therapy into later-stage clinical studies.
Strategic Partnership Highlights Value of Hanmi’s Innovation Platform
The agreement represents a major validation of Hanmi’s research and development strategy and demonstrates increasing global recognition of its proprietary drug discovery technologies. Hanmi has established itself as an innovation-focused pharmaceutical company with strong capabilities in long-acting biologics, metabolic diseases, oncology, and rare disorders. The company has already achieved regulatory success with products utilizing its LAPSCOVERY platform and continues advancing multiple clinical-stage candidates worldwide.
For Lilly, the transaction aligns with its strategy of expanding access to promising external innovation through targeted licensing partnerships. The collaboration reflects growing pharmaceutical industry investment in next-generation biologics capable of addressing unmet medical needs through novel mechanisms of action. With potential milestone payments exceeding $1 billion, the deal ranks among the most significant biotechnology licensing agreements announced in 2026 and reinforces the increasing strategic importance of gastrointestinal disease therapies within the global pharmaceutical market. As development progresses, sonefpeglutide may emerge as a promising new treatment option for patients with short bowel syndrome and other intestinal disorders requiring regenerative and anti-inflammatory therapeutic approaches.
Source: Hanmi Pharm, Eli Lilly press release
