Hanmi Pharmaceutical, a South Korea-based biopharmaceutical company, has introduced a novel immuno-oncology drug candidate, aiming to strengthen its position in the global pharmaceutical market with a fresh treatment approach. The company expects the new therapy to offer a paradigm shift in cancer care.
On July 23, Hanmi announced the development of a YAP1/TEAD interaction inhibitor as its latest drug candidate. The therapy is designed to specifically block the interaction between Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) and TEA domain family member (TEAD), two proteins implicated in tumor growth.
Unlike conventional immune checkpoint inhibitors that work by unleashing the body’s immune response, Hanmi’s candidate targets the cancer cells’ growth mechanism directly. The company believes this could address key challenges in oncology, such as treatment resistance and relapse.
The global immuno-oncology market continues to expand, with growing demand for therapies based on new mechanisms. Since the YAP1/TEAD pathway is known to be activated in several solid tumors — including lung, liver, and breast cancers — Hanmi’s inhibitor has the potential to treat a broad range of malignancies.
Industry analysts see this development as a meaningful step toward meeting unmet medical needs in cancer treatment. If the drug achieves positive results in clinical trials, it could solidify Hanmi’s standing in the global market.
The company said it plans to accelerate follow-up development of the YAP1/TEAD inhibitor, aiming to provide new treatment options for cancer patients and strengthen its position as a global biopharmaceutical company.
