Hanmi Pharmaceutical announced on November 13 that it has signed a joint development agreement with Bagel Labs, a digital therapeutics (DTx) development company, to create an integrated obesity management solution. The solution will combine Hanmi's GLP-1 receptor agonist "efpeglenatide" with Bagel Labs' digital therapeutic devices.

Efpeglenatide is a once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist based on exendin, developed using Hanmi's proprietary half-life extension platform, "Labscovery." The drug is currently undergoing Phase 3 clinical trials in South Korea, with the company targeting commercialization as an anti-obesity treatment by 2026.

This development is part of Hanmi's "Hanmi Obesity Pipeline (H.O.P)," a comprehensive obesity management portfolio that aims to create personalized, full-cycle treatment options for obesity. By combining traditional pharmacological treatments with digital healthcare technologies, Hanmi plans to offer an integrated management solution to support weight loss and lifestyle improvement.

The new solution is expected to go beyond simple drug administration. Recognizing that effective obesity treatment requires both drug therapy and lifestyle modification, Hanmi will employ digital therapeutics to improve medication adherence, enhance weight loss, and provide personalized obesity management solutions. This includes customized dietary guidance, exercise recommendations, and lifestyle interventions tailored to individual patient needs.

Bagel Labs is a digital therapeutics company specializing in exercise-based intervention technologies. Its flagship product, "Dexulin," is a digital therapeutic for diabetes management. The company's core technologies include exercise intervention algorithms and IoT-enabled healthcare solutions. By integrating Bagel Labs' expertise with efpeglenatide, the two companies aim to develop a next-generation digital-converged pharmaceutical (DCP) for obesity treatment.

Bagel Labs CEO said, "We are delighted to collaborate with Hanmi Pharmaceutical to expand the potential of digital therapeutic devices. We will continue our efforts to provide patient-centered, personalized treatment solutions through ongoing research and development."

The  Executive Vice President and Head of New Product Development at Hanmi Pharmaceutical, stated, "With the development of Korea’s first digital-converged pharmaceutical, we aim to contribute to the growth of the domestic digital healthcare industry. Since the world's first Digital Medical Device Act has been established, swift regulatory approvals and commercialization of digital-converged pharmaceuticals are crucial. To achieve this, government agencies and industry stakeholders need to establish governance and institutional support for regulatory guidelines and insurance reimbursement improvements."

Hanmi Pharmaceutical CEO commented, "By combining Hanmi’s R&D capabilities in new drug development with Bagel Labs’ digital healthcare technologies, we will provide better treatment options that enhance patients' quality of life. This collaboration is expected to drive Hanmi's leadership in the digital healthcare space and strengthen its competitive edge in the obesity treatment market."

Through this partnership, Hanmi Pharmaceutical aims to become a pioneer in the development of digital-converged pharmaceuticals, offering innovative treatment options for obesity patients and promoting the growth of the digital healthcare industry in South Korea and beyond.