Hepion Pharmaceuticals Announces Receipt of Delisting Notification from Nasdaq

Core Viewpoint - Hepion Pharmaceuticals has transitioned from developing treatments for chronic liver diseases to focusing on diagnostic tests, while facing delisting from Nasdaq due to non-compliance with listing standards [1][2]. Company Overview - Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company that was previously developing treatments for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) [1]. - The company's primary asset, Rencofilstat, is a potent inhibitor of cyclophilins, which has shown efficacy in reducing liver fibrosis and HCC tumor burden in experimental models [3]. Recent Developments - On May 9, 2025, the company received a notice from Nasdaq indicating that its shares would be delisted due to failure to maintain a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share and being classified as a public shell [1]. - Following the suspension of trading on Nasdaq, the company's shares are expected to be quoted on the OTC Markets Group under the existing symbol "HEPA" [2]. - Hepion announced a license agreement with New Day Diagnostics LLC on May 9, 2025, to in-license diagnostic tests for celiac disease, respiratory multiplex (Covid/Influenza A/B and RSV), H. pylori, and HCC, with some tests already having CE marks for sale in Europe [5]. Clinical Trials - In April 2024, Hepion decided to wind down its ASCEND-NASH clinical trial, which was a Phase 2b study aimed at evaluating the safety and efficacy of Rencofilstat over 12 months, with a target enrollment of 336 subjects [4]. - Enrollment in the trial was paused in April 2023 after 151 subjects were randomized, and approximately 80 subjects have completed their Day 365 visits [4].