Hanmi Pharm said it has made a poster presentation on the results of its study of efocipegtrutide, HM15211, at the ATS (American Thoracic Society) 2023 in Washington, D.C., on May 19 to 24 (local time).

Efocipegtrutide is a LAPSTriple agonist applied by Hanmi's platform technology, “LAPScovery,” which has a mechanism that simultaneously activates glucagon, GLP-1, and GIP receptors.

Hanmi is developing efocipegtrutide as a treatment for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in a global phase 2 clinical trial. In addition, the company said the study also identified the potential to develop efocipegtrutide as a treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

The study evaluated the efficacy of efocipegtrutide in a model of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and found that repeated doses of efocipegtrutide increased blood oxygenation and significantly improved markers of fibrosis.

Notably, this inhibition of fibrosis progression and improved lung function reduced mortality from disease progression in animal models.

"Significantly, we have secured data that support the potential for its development as a treatment for NASH, as well as for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis," said Dr. Kim Jeong-ah, who presented the study.

Hanmi recently received a recommendation from the Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) to continue the NASH phase 2 study of efocipegtrutide without interruption.