HEPA Stock: Insider Activity, Filings & Research
Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (HEPA) — Drillr’s hub for HEPA insider activity, SEC filings, earnings signals and AI research. Over the trailing 3 months, HEPA insiders filed 5 open-market buys and 0 sales (SEC Form 4).
HEPA insider trading activity (SEC Form 4)
| Date | Insider | Type | Shares | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 27, 2026 | LoPriore Vincent Sdirector, 10 percent owner, officer: Executive Chairman | Buy | 5,000,000 | $0.04 |
| Apr 27, 2026 | Purcell Michael J.director | Buy | 1,250,000 | $0.04 |
| Apr 27, 2026 | Stetz Gary S.director, officer: Interim CEO | Buy | 1,250,000 | $0.04 |
| Apr 27, 2026 | Appajosyula Sireeshdirector | Buy | 1,250,000 | $0.04 |
| Apr 27, 2026 | LoPriore Vincent Sdirector, 10 percent owner, officer: Executive Chairman | Buy | 1,250,000 | $0.04 |
| Mar 7, 2024 | Purcell Michael J.director | Grant | 50,000 | — |
| Feb 21, 2024 | JACOB GARY Sdirector | Grant | 85,000 | $2.56 |
| Feb 21, 2024 | Block Timothy M.director | Grant | 85,000 | $2.56 |
| Feb 21, 2024 | Lbiati Kaouthardirector | Grant | 85,000 | $2.56 |
| Feb 21, 2024 | BRANCACCIO JOHN Pdirector, officer: Chairman | Grant | 85,000 | $2.56 |
| Nov 28, 2023 | Wijngaard Peterdirector | Buy | 2,500 | $3.05 |
| Sep 20, 2023 | Wijngaard Peterdirector | Buy | 1,000 | $5.64 |
| Sep 20, 2023 | Wijngaard Peterdirector | Buy | 139 | $5.45 |
| Sep 20, 2023 | Wijngaard Peterdirector | Buy | 861 | $5.37 |
| Sep 19, 2023 | Foster Robert Tdirector, officer: CEO and Director | Buy | 1,600 | $5.60 |
Source: HEPA SEC Form 4 filings, latest Apr 27, 2026. For informational purposes only — not investment advice.
Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. company profile
Overview
Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:HEPA) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company founded in 2013 and headquartered in Edison, New Jersey. Originally incorporated as ContraVir Pharmaceuticals, the company rebranded to Hepion Pharmaceuticals in July 2019 to better reflect its focus on liver disease therapeutics. The company went public in February 2014 and has since dedicated its efforts to developing innovative drug therapies for chronic liver diseases, with its lead candidate Rencofilstat currently in clinical development for treating non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and other liver conditions.
Business
Hepion Pharmaceuticals operates in the biotechnology sector, specifically focusing on developing treatments for chronic liver diseases. The company's primary area of expertise lies in addressing non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a serious form of fatty liver disease that can progress to cirrhosis and liver cancer if left untreated. NASH affects millions of people worldwide and is closely associated with obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. The company's core product is Rencofilstat, a novel cyclophilin inhibitor that targets multiple pathological pathways involved in liver disease progression. Cyclophilins are proteins that play crucial roles in cellular processes, and by inhibiting them, Rencofilstat aims to reduce inflammation, fibrosis (scarring), and other damaging processes in the liver. The drug has completed Phase 2a clinical trials for NASH treatment and has shown promising results in preclinical studies for reducing liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) tumor burden. Beyond NASH, Rencofilstat has demonstrated antiviral activities against hepatitis B, C, and D viruses through multiple mechanisms, potentially expanding its therapeutic applications. The company's singular focus on liver diseases represents a concentrated approach to addressing a significant unmet medical need, as current treatment options for NASH and related liver conditions remain limited.
Revenue model
As a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, Hepion Pharmaceuticals does not currently generate revenue from product sales, as evidenced by zero revenue across all reported periods. The company operates on a research and development model typical of early-stage biotech firms, where value creation occurs through advancing drug candidates through clinical trials toward regulatory approval and eventual commercialization. The company's future revenue model will likely depend on successfully bringing Rencofilstat to market, either through direct commercialization or partnership agreements with larger pharmaceutical companies. Potential revenue streams could include product sales, licensing fees, milestone payments from partners, and royalties. The hepatitis and NASH markets represent substantial commercial opportunities, with the global NASH market projected to reach billions of dollars as effective treatments become available. Several factors could significantly impact Hepion's future profitability and margins. Positive clinical trial results would increase the likelihood of successful commercialization and potentially attract strategic partnerships or acquisition interest. Conversely, negative trial outcomes or regulatory setbacks could severely impact the company's prospects. The competitive landscape in liver disease therapeutics is intensifying, with multiple companies developing NASH treatments, which could affect market positioning and pricing power. Additionally, the company's ability to secure adequate funding for continued operations and clinical development remains crucial, as biotechnology companies typically require substantial capital investment before generating meaningful revenue.
Competitive moat
Hepion Pharmaceuticals operates in a highly competitive biotechnology landscape with limited defensive moats typical of early-stage drug development companies. The company's primary competitive advantage lies in its cyclophilin inhibitor approach with Rencofilstat, which targets multiple pathological pathways simultaneously rather than focusing on a single mechanism. This multi-pathway approach could potentially provide superior efficacy compared to competitors pursuing single-target strategies. However, the company's moat is relatively narrow and vulnerable. Patent protection provides some temporary exclusivity, but the biotechnology industry is characterized by rapid innovation and the constant threat of superior competing therapies. Numerous pharmaceutical giants and biotechnology companies are actively developing NASH treatments, including companies with significantly greater resources, established commercial infrastructure, and diversified pipelines. The company's small size and limited financial resources present additional competitive challenges. Unlike larger pharmaceutical companies that can pursue multiple drug candidates simultaneously and absorb clinical trial failures, Hepion's concentrated focus on Rencofilstat creates substantial binary risk. The company lacks the commercial infrastructure necessary for independent drug marketing and distribution, making it dependent on potential partnerships or acquisition for successful commercialization. Additionally, the regulatory pathway for NASH treatments remains evolving, with the FDA still developing clear guidance on approval requirements, creating uncertainty for all companies in this space.
Risks & safety
Hepion Pharmaceuticals presents significant financial risk with minimal margin of safety for investors. • Cash burn and solvency risk: The company burned approximately $18.2 million in operating cash flow during 2024, with only $406,408 in cash and short-term investments remaining as of Q4 2024. At the current burn rate, the company faces immediate liquidity concerns and will require additional financing within months. • Balance sheet deterioration: Current liabilities of $3.1 million exceed current assets of $1.6 million, resulting in a current ratio of 0.51. The company's total liabilities exceed total assets, indicating negative book value and potential insolvency. • Valuation metrics: With a market capitalization of approximately $627,000 and negative earnings, traditional valuation metrics are not meaningful. The stock price has declined dramatically from $730 in 2022 to $0.41 currently, indicating severe investor pessimism. • Other considerations: The company generates no revenue and relies entirely on external financing to continue operations. Clinical trial outcomes represent binary risk events that could result in total loss of investment.
Recent development
Based on the available financial data, Hepion Pharmaceuticals has been primarily focused on advancing its lead candidate Rencofilstat through clinical development over the past few years. The company completed Phase 2a clinical trials for NASH treatment and has been conducting preclinical studies to explore additional applications of the drug, including its potential antiviral properties against hepatitis B, C, and D viruses. The most significant development has been the company's strategic pivot from its original identity as ContraVir Pharmaceuticals to Hepion Pharmaceuticals in 2019, reflecting a more focused approach on liver disease therapeutics. This rebranding coincided with increased emphasis on the cyclophilin inhibitor platform and NASH indication. However, the company's financial trajectory reveals concerning trends. Despite maintaining a relatively strong cash position through 2022 and early 2023, with over $50 million in cash and short-term investments, the company has experienced rapid cash depletion. The dramatic decline in cash reserves from over $13 million in Q1 2024 to just $406,408 by Q4 2024 suggests either significant clinical trial expenses or potential operational challenges. The company's inability to secure additional financing or strategic partnerships during this period has placed it in a precarious financial position, requiring immediate capital infusion to continue operations and clinical development activities.
HEPA company profile · for informational purposes only — not investment advice.
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