HL156A

HL156A is a derivative of metformin and a potent oxidative phosphorylation inhibitor and AMP-activated protein kinase activating biguanide. Certain types of cancer cells requires oxidative phosphorylation to survive. By targeting it, HL156A might help in improving anticancer therapy. It is more potent than acadesine or metformin at activating AMP-activated protein kinase. It is synthesized by Hanall Biopharma.

Medical uses
It is in phase 1 trial in patients with advanced solid tumor and lymphoma.

Pharmacology
Apart from AMP-activated protein kinase activation, it also inhibits expression and activation of insulin-like growth factor-1, protein kinase B, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and extracellular signal-regulated kinases.

Research
It is researched in multiple conditions like liver and renal fibrosis, cancer and drug resistance in cancer. HL176OUT04, a drug with similar pharmacology, has been also developed.