Hanmi Pharmaceutical
Hanmi Pharmaceutical is a South Korean top-5 pharmaceutical company developing innovative obesity, oncology, and rare disease drugs through proprietary platforms (LAPSCOVERY, PENTAMBODY, HARP AI). Revenue derives from global licensing deals, Korean prescription drug sales, and CDMO services.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1973
- HeadquartersSeoul, South Korea
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Hanmi Pharmaceutical does
Hanmi Pharmaceutical is a South Korea-headquartered pharmaceutical company founded in 1973 and publicly listed on the KOSPI exchange since 1988, operating as the core pharmaceutical subsidiary of Hanmi Science. It ranks among the top five Korean pharmaceutical companies by revenue, employs 5,001-10,000 people, and is notable for spending more than 10% of annual revenue on R&D. The company develops, manufactures, and commercializes drugs across three therapeutic franchises: obesity/metabolism, oncology, and rare diseases, alongside incremental modifications of existing drugs through novel formulation work. International operations span Seoul headquarters, an R&D Center in Dongtan, manufacturing at Paltan (6+ billion tablets/year) and Pyeongtaek Bioplant (bioreactors up to 12,500L), plus subsidiaries in Beijing (China, 20%+ CAGR), Tokyo, and London.
The company's technology foundation rests on proprietary platforms. LAPSCOVERY is a long-acting protein/peptide discovery platform enabling once-weekly or monthly dosing through Fc fusion with flexible linkers, validated by FDA-approved Rolontis/Rolvedon (eflapegrastim). PENTAMBODY is a bispecific antibody platform with natural IgG-like architecture for immuno-oncology. HARP is an in-house AI-driven research platform that contributed to the discovery of obesity candidate HM17321, with related research in protein language models (HARP-pSAR) and proteomics-based phenotype prediction. Manufacturing spans biopharmaceuticals (microbial culture, biochemical conjugation), fine chemicals (APIs, peptides, PEG, NTP, mRNA cap analogs), and chemical drugs, supported by FDA- and MFDS-approved facilities.
Hanmi operates three primary revenue streams. Licensing-out agreements with global pharmaceutical companies (Eli Lilly, Sanofi, Janssen, Boehringer Ingelheim, MSD, Genentech) generate upfront payments, development and regulatory milestones, and royalties; the 2026 sonefpeglutide deal with Eli Lilly is valued at up to $1.26 billion. Direct pharmaceutical product sales are concentrated in Korea, where Hanmi has held the #1 outpatient prescription ranking for four consecutive years with brands such as Amosartan and Amodipin. CDMO services across Bio, Fine Chemical, and Chemical divisions provide contract manufacturing to global pharma clients. International expansion occurs through Beijing Hanmi (China), regional distribution partners (Organon for Malaysia and Philippines, Laboratorios Sanfer for Mexico), and licensing deals that grant partners global rights while Hanmi retains Korean commercialization rights.
Hanmi Pharmaceutical firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hanmi Pharmaceutical
- Legal name
- Hanmi Pharm. Co., Ltd.
- Website
- https://hanmipharm.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1973
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- Hanmi Pharmaceutical is a South Korean top-5 pharmaceutical company developing innovative obesity, oncology, and rare disease drugs through proprietary platforms (LAPSCOVERY, PENTAMBODY, HARP AI). Revenue derives from global licensing deals, Korean prescription drug sales, and CDMO services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hanmi Pharmaceutical industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Pharmaceutical Products
- NAICS
- Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254), Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (424210)
- SIC
- Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Wholesale-Drugs, Proprietaries & Druggists' Sundries (5122)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Specialty Care Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cardiometabolic Pharmaceuticals (Cardiovascular/Diabetes/Obesity) (HLAIAAAE), Biologics (mAbs/Recombinant Proteins) CDMO (HLAGABAC), Clinical Trial Material (CTM) Manufacturing & Supply CDMO (HLAGABAK)
Keywords
Where Hanmi Pharmaceutical is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Seoul
- HQ country
- South Korea
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices8 records
Markets served
Hanmi Pharmaceutical business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Licensing-out Deals: Hanmi licenses its proprietary drug candidates to global pharmaceutical companies for upfront payments, milestone payments, and royalties. Examples include $1.26B deal with Eli Lilly for sonefpeglutide ($75M upfront + $1.185B milestones), and deals with Sanofi, Janssen, Boehringer Ingelheim, MSD, and Genentech. Revenue recognition occurs at deal signing, milestone achievements, and ongoing royalties post-launch.
- CDMO Services: Contract development and manufacturing services across three divisions: Bio (biopharmaceuticals with microbial culture), Fine Chemical (APIs, peptides, PEG, NTP, mRNA cap analog), and Chemical (synthetic medicines with 6+ billion tablets annual capacity). Services include development, GMP manufacturing, and regulatory support.
- Pharmaceutical Product Sales: Direct sales of pharmaceutical products in Korea and through international subsidiaries. Products include Amosartan (antihypertensive), Amodipin, and other incrementally modified drugs. Korean market leadership with #1 outpatient prescription ranking for multiple years.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels5 records
Hanmi Pharmaceutical product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hanmi Pharmaceutical develops, manufactures, and commercializes innovative pharmaceutical products across obesity/metabolism, oncology, and rare diseases using proprietary platform technologies (LAPSCOVERY, PENTAMBODY, HARP AI, IMD/New Formulation). The company sells branded drugs directly in Korea and China, licenses out proprietary drug candidates to global pharma partners (Eli Lilly, Sanofi, Janssen, MSD, Genentech), and provides CDMO services across Bio, Fine Chemical, and Chemical divisions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Amosartan World's first fixed-dose combination (FDC) of Amlodipine and Losartan for hypertension treatment, sold in Korea as a major breakthrough product in the cardiovascular therapeutic area.
- Amodipin Korea's first incrementally modified drug (IMD) — a new salt form of amlodipine for hypertension treatment, patented in 2004 and commercially launched.
- Rolontis (eflapegrastim) FDA-approved long-acting G-CSF biologic (eflapegrastim) developed using LAPSCOVERY platform for treatment of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. Included in NCCN Treatment Guidelines for 32 cancer centers in the US.
- Efpeglenatide (GLP-1 obesity and diabetes drug) Hanmi's proprietary GLP-1 receptor agonist for obesity and diabetes treatment. Korea's first independently developed obesity therapy, demonstrating best-in-class protective efficacy for cardiovascular/renal disease among GLP-1s. Licensed to Laboratorios Sanfer for exclusive distribution in Mexico.
- Sonefpeglutide (LAPSGLP-2 analog) Long-acting GLP-2 analog developed using LAPSCOVERY platform for treatment of short bowel syndrome, currently in global Phase 2 trial. Licensed to Eli Lilly for $1.26 billion in upfront and milestones.
- HM500197 (LA-MSTN) World's first peptide-based long-acting myostatin (LA-MSTN) inhibitor for obesity, designed to selectively inhibit myostatin and increase skeletal muscle-focused lean mass while minimizing off-target activity. Can be developed as combination therapy with GLP-1-based treatments.
- Efocipegtrutide (LAPSTriple Agonist) Long-acting triple agonist (GLP-1/GIP/Glucagon) for treatment of obesity and MASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis), granted FDA Fast Track designation.
- Efeglucagon / Efpegerglucagon (HM15136) Long-acting glucagon analog being developed as the world's first once-weekly formulation for congenital hyperinsulinism, a rare disease with no current FDA-approved treatment. Received FDA Breakthrough Therapy, Orphan Drug, and Rare Pediatric Disease designations.
- CDMO Services Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization services across three divisions: Bio (biopharmaceuticals with microbial culture and biochemical reaction processes), Fine Chemical (APIs, peptides, PEG, NTP, mRNA cap analog), and Chemical (synthetic medicines with 6+ billion tablets annual capacity). Services include development, GMP manufacturing, and regulatory support.
Quantifiable outcome
- 28.7% mean weight loss achieved by Eli Lilly's retatrutide setting benchmark for obesity drugs (source for market context)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Hanmi Pharmaceutical
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Hanmi Pharmaceutical technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Hanmi Pharmaceutical partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Eli Lilly and CompanyflagshipLicensing agreement worth up to $1.26 billion for sonefpeglutide (LAPSGLP-2 analog) for short bowel syndrome. Hanmi receives $75 million upfront and up to $1.185 billion in clinical development, regulatory, and commercialization milestone payments, plus royalties. Lilly gains exclusive worldwide rights outside Korea. Hanmi continues global Phase 2 trial while Lilly explores additional clinical trials.
- OrganoncoreSupply agreement to export three combination medications for cardiovascular and respiratory health to Malaysia and Philippines. Hanmi supplies finished products while Organon handles marketing, distribution, and sales in local markets. Partnership targets rapidly growing Southeast Asian pharmaceutical market driven by increasing chronic disease prevalence.
- Laboratorios SanfercoreExclusive distribution agreement for efpeglenatide GLP-1 obesity drug and Dapalon-lineup diabetes treatments in Mexico. Hanmi supplies finished formulations while Sanfer handles regulatory approvals, marketing, and sales. Mexico has high obesity prevalence (36.86%) and diabetes prevalence (16.4%), making it strategically valuable market.
- Aptose BiosciencesflagshipHanmi acquiring all outstanding shares of Aptose at C$2.41 per share in cash (28% premium over 30-day VWAP). Hanmi already owns nearly 20% of Aptose and has provided debt support of over US$30 million during past 18 months. Deal supports continued development of tuspetinib-based therapy for AML. First direct entry into North America for Hanmi.
- LegoChem BiosciencescoreJoint development of bsAb ADC (bispecific antibody-drug conjugate) for cancer using PENTAMBODY platform.
- AffaMed TherapeuticsminorLicensing-out of Luminate (risuteganib) for dry AMD to Greater China region.
- Aptose BiosciencescoreLicensing agreement for tuspetinib (HM43239, myeloid kinome inhibitor) for AML worldwide. Hanmi also providing financing support and pursuing acquisition of Aptose.
- ArthrexminorLicensing-out of HA injection (sodium hyaluronate) for joint articular use in US.
- MSD (Merck & Co.)coreLicensing agreement for efinopegdutide (HM12525A, GLP-1/Glucagon) for MASH worldwide excluding Korea.
- GC BiopharmaminorEnzyme replacement therapy partnership for HM15421/GC1134A (long-acting ERT) for lysosomal storage disease.
- Innovent BiologicscorePENTAMBODY-based bispecific antibody BH2950/IBI315 (PD-1/HER2 antagonist) for cancer development.
- Genentech (Roche)coreLicensing agreement for belvarafenib (HM95573, pan-RAFi) for solid tumor treatment.
- SanoficoreMultiple licensing agreements including Amosartan Q for CIS markets and joint development of fixed-dose combinations like Robelito (ARB-statin combination), Korea's first such combination drug.
- Janssen (Johnson & Johnson)coreLicensing agreement for HM12525A (GLP-1/Glucagon dual agonist) for diabetes and obesity worldwide excluding Korea, China, and Greater China.
- Boehringer IngelheimminorLicensing partnership for autoimmune disease therapeutics.
- Zai LabminorLicensing agreement for olmutinib (HM61713, EGFRi) for solid tumor in China.
- Eli LillycoreLicensing agreement for poseltinib (HM71224, BTKi) for autoimmune diseases worldwide excluding Korea and Greater China.
- LegoChem BiosciencescoreJoint development of dual antibody ADC anticancer drug using PENTAMBODY ConjuAll platform technology.
- Spectrum Therapeutics (Assertio)coreLicensing agreement for poziotinib (HM781-36B, pan-HER inhibitor) for solid tumors worldwide excluding Korea and China. Strategic investment of KRW 24 billion in Spectrum.
- SpectrumcoreLicensing agreement for Rolvedon (eflapegrastim, HM10460A, G-CSF) for neutropenia worldwide excluding Korea, China, and Japan.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Hanmi Pharmaceutical competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Novo Nordisk: Novo Nordisk is the global GLP-1 obesity/diabetes market leader with semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy). Directly comparable as the dominant obesity/metabolism incumbent against whose commercial franchise Hanmi's efpeglenatide and other pipeline assets must compete for market share.
- Eli Lilly and Company: Eli Lilly is the global leader in obesity therapeutics with retatrutide and tirzepatide franchises, and is also Hanmi's licensing partner for sonefpeglutide. Comparable as an obesity/metabolism market incumbent whose commercial scale sets the benchmark Hanmi's pipeline must compete against.
Direct peers
- Celltrion: Celltrion is a leading Korean biopharmaceutical company specializing in biosimilars and novel biologics, with global licensing partnerships. Directly comparable to Hanmi's biologics manufacturing capabilities (Pyeongtaek Bioplant) and biosimilar/innovative biologics pipeline strategy.
- Dong-A Pharmaceutical: Dong-A Pharmaceutical is a Korean pharmaceutical company of similar size with branded generics, specialty therapeutics, and incremental drug modification focus. Comparable to Hanmi's domestic prescription franchise, R&D pipeline, and Korean market leadership ambitions.
- Yuhan Corporation: Yuhan Corporation is one of the largest Korean pharmaceutical companies by revenue, with a similar branded-pharma business model and growing CDMO operations. It is directly comparable to Hanmi in scale, therapeutic focus areas (respiratory, oncology, chronic disease), and Korean-market leadership profile.
- Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceutical: Chong Kun Dang is a Korean pharmaceutical company with similar size, branded-generic portfolio, and incremental drug modification focus. Directly comparable to Hanmi's domestic Korean prescription business and IMD/new formulation technology platform.
- Daewoong Pharmaceutical: Daewoong Pharmaceutical is a Korean top-tier pharmaceutical company with direct overlap in incrementally modified drugs, GLP-1 development (envafolimab), and botulinum toxin franchises. Similar in size, business model, and pipeline focus to Hanmi's branded pharma business.
- Samsung Biologics: Samsung Biologics is a global CDMO and biosimilars developer operating large-scale mammalian cell culture manufacturing facilities. Comparable to Hanmi's CDMO business (Bio division) and global pharma contract manufacturing partnerships with Lilly, Roche, and other major companies.
- LG Chem Life Sciences: LG Chem's Life Sciences division is a Korean specialty pharmaceutical company focused on innovative drugs, vaccines, and CDMO services. Comparable to Hanmi in branded pharma operations, specialty therapeutics focus, and CDMO scale.
Emerging players
- Innovent Biologics: Innovent Biologics is a Chinese innovative biopharmaceutical company that partnered with Hanmi on PENTAMBODY-based bispecific antibody BH2950/IBI315. Comparable as an emerging oncology biologics developer with similar bispecific antibody technology focus and licensing partnership patterns.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Hanmi Pharmaceutical social profiles
Digital presenceHanmi Pharmaceutical financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hanmi Pharmaceutical leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Hanmi Pharmaceutical subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Hanmi Pharmaceutical funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hanmi Pharmaceutical M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments12 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hanmi Pharmaceutical
What does Hanmi Pharmaceutical do?
Hanmi Pharmaceutical develops, manufactures, and commercializes innovative pharmaceutical products across obesity/metabolism, oncology, and rare diseases using proprietary platform technologies (LAPSCOVERY, PENTAMBODY, HARP AI, IMD/New Formulation). The company sells branded drugs directly in Korea and China, licenses out proprietary drug candidates to global pharma partners (Eli Lilly, Sanofi, Janssen, MSD, Genentech), and provides CDMO services across Bio, Fine Chemical, and Chemical divisions.
Is Hanmi Pharmaceutical a public or private company?
Hanmi Pharmaceutical is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Hanmi Pharmaceutical founded?
Hanmi Pharmaceutical was founded in 1973. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is Hanmi Pharmaceutical based?
Hanmi Pharmaceutical is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, in the Asia region.
How does Hanmi Pharmaceutical make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Licensing-out Deals are the primary driver. The others are CDMO Services and pharmaceutical Product Sales.
Who are Hanmi Pharmaceutical's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly and Company. Direct peers are Celltrion, Dong-A Pharmaceutical, Yuhan Corporation, Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceutical, Daewoong Pharmaceutical, Samsung Biologics and LG Chem Life Sciences. Innovent Biologics is listed as an emerging player.
Does Hanmi Pharmaceutical have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hanmi Pharmaceutical.
What industry is Hanmi Pharmaceutical in?
Hanmi Pharmaceutical's product category is Pharmaceutical Products. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAIAAAB, Specialty Care Pharmaceuticals, with a secondary code of HLAIAAAE, Cardiometabolic Pharmaceuticals (Cardiovascular/Diabetes/Obesity). Its NAICS code is 3254 and its SIC code is 2834.