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Hepion Pharmaceuticals ( (HEPA) ) has provided an update.
On February 25, 2026, Hepion Pharmaceuticals entered an intellectual property license agreement with Cirna Diagnostics to in-license liver disease diagnostic assets, including a novel circulating tumor RNA biomarker assay for hepatocellular carcinoma. The deal includes a $50,000 upfront payment, obligations for certain patent costs, up to $2.35 million in development milestones, up to $4.5 million in sales milestones, and low single-digit royalties on net sales.
Announced publicly on March 3, 2026, the ctRNA assay is a next-generation, non-invasive blood test designed to detect mutant tumor RNA for earlier, more specific diagnosis and surveillance of hepatocellular carcinoma, with potential extension to other solid tumors. The transaction underscores Hepion’s strategic pivot under CEO Kaouthar Lbiati toward a theranostics-enabled liquid biopsy portfolio, complementing its mSEPT9 assay, positioning the company to tap into the fast-growing global liquid biopsy market and potentially improve early cancer detection outcomes for high-risk patients and their clinicians.
More about Hepion Pharmaceuticals
Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., based in Morristown, N.J., is a precision diagnostics company focused on early cancer detection using advanced liquid biopsy technologies. Leveraging expertise in liver biology, it is developing and commercializing blood-based assays, including a clinically validated methylated DNA SEPT9 test and a circulating tumor RNA platform, primarily targeting early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in high-risk cirrhotic patients.
Average Trading Volume: 14,989
Technical Sentiment Signal: Strong Sell
Current Market Cap: $424.7K
See more insights into HEPA stock on TipRanks’ Stock Analysis page.