---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001493152-26-008650"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "HEPA"
cik: "0001583771"
company_name: "Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc."
filed_at: "2026-03-03T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-15T22:15:43.151190+00:00"
event_type: "other_material"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.5
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.5
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Hepion in-licenses ctRNA biomarker assay for early HCC detection from Cirna Diagnostics

## Summary
- Upfront $50K, milestones up to $2.35M, sales milestones up to $4.5M, low single-digit royalty.
- Assay detects mutant circulating tumor RNA (ctRNA) for early HCC diagnosis in high-risk cirrhosis patients.
- Complements Hepion's mSEPT9 PCR assay; strategic shift to liquid biopsy diagnostics.
- Global liquid biopsy market ~$10B; plans CLIA lab partnerships and eventual FDA submission.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001493152-26-008650
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: HEPA
- cik: 0001583771
- company_name: Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- filed_at: 2026-03-03T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: other_material
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.5
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.5
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 1.01, 8.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1583771/000149315226008650/0001493152-26-008650-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1583771/000149315226008650/form8-k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001493152-26-008650
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001493152-26-008650.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001493152-26-008650.txt

## Key facts
- Material Agreements
  Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. entered into intellectual property license agreement with Cirna Diagnostics, LLC valued at upfront payment of $50,000 as well as certain patent expenses, up to $2,350,000 in milestone payment (effective 2026-02-25).
  - Action: entry
  - Agreement: license
  - Counterparty: Cirna Diagnostics, LLC
  - Value: upfront payment of $50,000 as well as certain patent expenses, up to $2,350,000 in milestone payment
  - Effective: 2026-02-25
  source text: On February 25, 2026, Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), entered into an intellectual property license agreement with Cirna Diagnostics, LLC (“ Cirna ”) pursuant to which the Company licensed certain liver disease diagnostic assets from Cirna.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1583771/000149315226008650/0001493152-26-008650-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.