Hanmi Pharm Co’s shares jumped 30% on Monday after Genentech, a unit of Roche Group, agreed to acquire global rights to HM17321, an experimental obesity treatment, excluding South Korea.
The deal includes a $190 million upfront payment and potential milestones and royalties totaling approximately $2.3 billion. Hanmi’s stock rose 29.96%, or KRW 124,500, to KRW 540,000 as of the close of trading on August 24, 2026.
HM17321 is a UCN2 analog designed to promote weight loss while preserving lean body mass through a non-incretin mechanism. Preclinical studies demonstrated its efficacy as both a monotherapy and in combination with GLP-1-based therapies. Genentech now holds worldwide rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize the drug outside South Korea.
