Hanmi Pharmaceuticals has granted Genentech ex-Korea global rights to HM17321, a first-in-class CRHR2 agonist and urocortin-2 analogue for weight management that preserves lean body mass, in a deal worth USD 190 million upfront and up to USD 2.3 billion in total milestones plus tiered royalties.

Hanmi started a US Phase I trial in October 2025; Genentech assumes development after Phase I completion. Unlike incretin-based agents that drive fat and lean-mass loss together, HM17321 is designed to promote adiposity reduction while sparing muscle, with preclinical data showing weight-loss effects as monotherapy and in combination with GLP-1 agents, and formulation potential for fixed-dose combinations.

HM17321's peptide format and CRHR2 specificity open a fixed-dose future alongside semaglutide or tirzepatide, addressing the clinical limitation that current incretins reduce approximately 20% to 40% of lost weight from lean tissue.