Hanmi Pharmaceutical Names Next-Generation Triple-Agonist Obesity Drug "Zantrutide"

WHO Officially Lists Triple-Agonist Drug Candidate
Targets Weight Loss of Over 25% While Minimizing Muscle Loss
Phase 2 Trials for Obesity and Diabetes Underway in U.S.

The international nonproprietary name (INN) of Hanmi's next-generation obesity-treatment triple agonist (HM15275) has been finalized as "zantrutide."

Hanmi Pharmaceutical said on October 23 that the World Health Organization (WHO) had officially listed HM15275 under this INN. The name zantrutide combines "zan-" (a prefix symbolizing "Best Balance"), "-tru-" (an infix denoting a triple receptor agonist), and "-tide" (a suffix used for peptide-based medicines). It reflects the drug's development goal of being a next-generation triple agonist for obesity treatment that pursues optimal balance.

Mechanism of action of Hanmi Pharmaceutical's next-generation triple agonist, Janturutide. Hanmi Pharmaceutical

Zantrutide is generating expectations as the second pipeline in Hanmi's H.O.P. obesity drug project, following Epe (ingredient name: efpeglenatide), a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)-based obesity drug that Hanmi developed independently, becoming the first company in Korea to do so.

Zantrutide is a next-generation triple agonist designed to optimize activity at the respective receptors for GLP-1, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), and glucagon, delivering potent weight-loss effects and potential efficacy against a range of metabolic diseases.

Hanmi Pharmaceutical said that by making balanced use of the three pharmacological actions, the drug can induce substantial weight loss by suppressing appetite and increasing energy expenditure, while maximizing its therapeutic potential for a range of metabolic diseases, including not only obesity but also type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

In particular, zantrutide aims to achieve weight loss that surpasses that of bariatric surgery. The goal is also to improve the "quality of weight loss" by minimizing muscle loss through the body's metabolic optimization mechanisms. The company expects the drug to stand out from existing GLP-1-based obesity treatments by addressing not only weight loss but also muscle preservation and metabolic health.

Zantrutide has entered Phase 2 clinical trials for obesity and diabetes in the United States, and the Phase 2 obesity trial is expected to conclude in the first half of 2027. Hanmi aims to complete Phase 2 successfully and establish the drug as a "best-in-class" treatment.

Choi Inyoung, Vice President and Head of Hanmi Pharmaceutical's Future Growth Division, said, "The official listing of zantrutide's INN is significant because it gives one of Hanmi's promising research and development (R&D) assets a name recognized worldwide and helps raise its future value and profile as a global drug asset."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.