Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (HEPA): ANSOFF MATRIX [Dec-2025 Updated]

Honestly, watching Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. pivot hard from drug development to diagnostics after the ASCEND-NASH trial wrap-up was a necessary shock to the system. As someone who's seen a few of these turnarounds, I've broken down their new growth map using the Ansoff Matrix, showing you exactly how they plan to aggressively capture share in the $5.6 billion EU respiratory market-a move critical to offsetting that $(1.0) million Q3 2025 net loss. But that's just the start; they're simultaneously pushing for the massive US market and even looking at a potential $15 billion expansion via diversification, so you'll want to see the concrete steps they're taking across all four quadrants below.

Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (HEPA) - Ansoff Matrix: Market Penetration

Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is executing a Market Penetration strategy focused on its newly in-licensed diagnostic portfolio, which has CE marks for immediate European commercialization. This pivot follows the wind-down of the ASCEND-NASH clinical trial.

The strategy centers on aggressively marketing the CE-marked tests within the European Union to capture share of the existing market opportunities. The Respiratory Panel RT-PCR Multiplex CE-IVD specifically targets a market valued at $5.6 billion, projected to grow at 6.6% annually through 2029.

The company is driving utilization in current European labs by leveraging the CE marking for immediate sales. The combined addressable market for the four licensed diagnostics-respiratory, celiac, H. pylori, and HCC-exceeds $15 billion.

The financial performance for the third quarter ended September 30, 2025, showed revenues of $0 million, as the company did not have commercial products generating revenue during that reporting period. The net loss for Q3 2025 was $(472,506), an improvement from the prior year's loss of $(4.87 million) for the same period.

The focus on driving diagnostic sales volume is intended to impact future financial results, moving from the Q3 2025 net loss of $(472,506).

The specific market segments targeted for penetration include:

• Respiratory Multiplex (COVID-19, Influenza A/B, RSV): $5.6 billion market.
• H. pylori detection: $700 million market with 6.0% projected growth.
• CeliaCare (Celiac disease screening): $457 million market with a 10.4% CAGR.
• mSEPT9 assay (HCC early detection): $8.7 billion market with 6.7% annual growth through 2030.

The immediate commercialization pathway in the EU is supported by the existing distributor network relationships established by New Day Diagnostics LLC, the licensor.

Here is a breakdown of the market sizes Hepion Pharmaceuticals is targeting through Market Penetration in the EU:

The company's Q3 2025 financial data shows the starting point for this revenue-driving effort:

• Q3 2025 Net Loss: $(472,506).
• Q3 2025 Loss per Common Share: $(0.04).
• Nine Months Ended September 30, 2025 Net Loss: $(7.62 million).

Increasing sales force presence in key EU countries is a direct action to drive utilization for these CE-marked assets.

Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (HEPA) - Ansoff Matrix: Market Development

You're looking at Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (HEPA) shifting its focus to market development for its newly in-licensed diagnostic portfolio, which is a clear pivot from its prior drug development efforts. The company's Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) earnings as of November 2025 stand at -$8.66 Million USD, so expanding market reach for these diagnostics is critical for near-term revenue generation.

The strategy centers on taking the existing diagnostic products-which include a respiratory multiplex test, an H. pylori test, a celiac test, and an HCC test-and pushing them into new geographic territories or new regulatory jurisdictions. This is about maximizing the value of the assets secured via the May 7, 2025, binding Letter of Intent with New Day Diagnostics LLC.

Accessing the US Market for Respiratory Multiplex Testing

The immediate priority here is tackling the US market for the respiratory multiplex test, which detects Covid-19, Influenza A/B, and RSV simultaneously. This test currently holds a CE mark for Europe, but the US represents a massive, largely untapped opportunity. The US addressable market for this specific Respiratory Panel RT-PCR Multiplex is cited at $5.6 billion, with an expected annual growth rate of 6.6% through 2029. To access this, Hepion Pharmaceuticals must prioritize the 510(k) premarket notification submission to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as these assays fall under Class II Special Controls.

Here's a look at the market potential you are aiming for:

Expanding CE-Marked Test Distribution Geographically

Since the celiac, respiratory multiplex, and H. pylori tests already possess the CE mark, you have immediate market access across the European Union. The next step in market development is securing distribution partnerships outside the EU, specifically targeting markets like Canada or Australia. This leverages existing regulatory clearance for faster market entry compared to filing from scratch in a new jurisdiction.

• Secure distribution agreements by Q4 2025.
• Target initial sales volume in Canada equivalent to 5% of the H. pylori market within 18 months.
• Establish logistics channels capable of handling 10,000 units per month for the respiratory panel across new territories.

Leveraging CE Mark for New EU Member States

Even within the EU, market penetration can be uneven. You can use the existing CE mark to rapidly enter any newer or less-saturated EU member states. The plan here is to use a low-cost digital marketing strategy, which is sensible given the current TTM earnings deficit. This approach minimizes upfront sales force investment.

The goal is to achieve market entry in at least 3 new EU member states by the end of the 2026 fiscal year. This strategy relies on digital channels to drive awareness among European clinicians who may not yet be aware of the in-licensed portfolio.

US Regulatory Expansion for the HCC Diagnostic

For the Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) diagnostic, which utilizes the mSEPT9 assay, the focus is on initiating the US regulatory filings to tap into its substantial market. This test serves high-risk patients and addresses an estimated US market size of $8.7 billion, projected to grow at 6.7% annually through 2030. Filing for US clearance is a necessary step to expand the geographic reach for this specific, high-value product, complementing the respiratory test's US filing efforts.

The regulatory timeline for the HCC test filing should be mapped against the respiratory test filing, but the potential return is significant, representing the largest single market opportunity identified at $8.7 billion. Finance: draft 13-week cash view by Friday.

Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (HEPA) - Ansoff Matrix: Product Development

You're looking at Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (HEPA) pivoting its focus toward diagnostics, leveraging in-licensed assets to generate near-term revenue in European Union countries. This strategy involves immediate commercialization of tests already holding the CE mark.

The in-licensed suite of diagnostics covers multiple conditions, targeting a combined addressable market exceeding $15 billion as of May 2025. The company's financial position as of January 31, 2025, showed a current ratio of 0.51, indicating short-term obligations exceeded liquid assets, making the revenue potential from these tests critical.

The product development effort centers on expanding the utility and market reach of these in-licensed technologies. One key component is the Respiratory Panel RT-PCR Multiplex CE-IVD, which enables simultaneous detection of COVID-19, Influenza A/B, and RSV from a single sample. This specific segment addresses a market worth $5.6 billion, with a projected annual growth rate of 6.6% through 2029.

For the HCC diagnostic, the mSEPT9 assay, Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (HEPA) is focused on enhancing its performance in early detection for high-risk patients. This test targets an $8.7 billion market projected to grow at 6.7% annually through 2030. Investment in R&D here aims to improve sensitivity and specificity beyond the current established metrics.

The plan includes creating a companion diagnostic service for pharmaceutical companies operating within the EU, utilizing the tests that already possess the CE mark. This service component is designed to help generate those near-term revenues John Brancaccio, Executive Chairman and Interim Chief Executive Officer of Hepion, mentioned following the May 2025 announcement.

The company is mandated to use the $525,000 cash paid for the license to fund the development of new diagnostic features. This capital allocation is directed toward integrating and potentially expanding the capabilities of the licensed portfolio.

Launching the non-invasive blood test for celiac disease, the CeliaCare CE-IVD, improves upon existing methods that often require patients to consume gluten. This test supports rapid screening for the condition in a market valued at $457 million, which is growing at 10.4% annually through 2034. Furthermore, the H. pylori CE-IVD targets a $700 million market with a projected 6.0% growth through 2032.

Here's a breakdown of the market opportunity size for the in-licensed diagnostics:

The development roadmap for Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (HEPA) includes specific actions tied to the in-licensed portfolio:

• Develop next-generation respiratory panel with additional viral targets.
• Invest R&D to enhance sensitivity/specificity of HCC diagnostic test.
• Create companion diagnostic service for EU pharmaceutical companies.
• Allocate $525,000 cash paid for license to new diagnostic features.
• Launch non-invasive blood test for celiac disease market.

To fund operations, including these development activities, Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (HEPA) completed a public offering in January 2025, with a combined offering price of $0.325 per unit, expecting gross proceeds of approximately $9.0 million before fees.

Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (HEPA) - Ansoff Matrix: Diversification

You're looking at diversification for Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (HEPA), which, as of late 2025, is trading on OTC markets with a market capitalization around $699,543 and a share price near $0.06. Given the company's recent strategic pivot toward diagnostics and the sale of the rencofilstat patent assets for a nominal amount plus a contingent value right in May 2025, capital preservation and near-term revenue generation are key.

Acquire a small, revenue-generating medical device company to enter the device market in the US. This move targets the US Medical Device Manufacturers Market, which was estimated at $256.2 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $270.1 billion in 2025. You'd look for a company with established US Food and Drug Administration clearances and existing sales, perhaps in a niche area like drug delivery devices, which saw positive impact during the pandemic. The acquisition would need to be structured carefully, perhaps using the capital raised from the January 2025 public offering of $9.0 million, though that capital may have been largely utilized or allocated elsewhere following the May 2025 asset sale.

Establish a contract research organization (CRO) service leveraging the AI-driven diagnostic platform for external clients. This leverages the company's stated focus on AI-driven development. The broader Medical Device CRO Market is projected to grow from $9.25 billion in 2023 to $16.4 billion by 2030, with clinical research outsourcing for diagnostics being a fastest growing area. Your AI platform could target the global AI in diagnostics market, which was valued at $1.8 billion in 2025.

In-license a new, non-diagnostic therapeutic asset for a non-liver disease, like a rare disease drug. This is a classic diversification play outside of Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s core focus on NASH and HCC. Considering the company's prior cash runway extension into Q2 2025 following a restructuring that cut costs by approximately 60%, any in-licensing would likely require a financing event or a structure heavily weighted toward milestones and royalties, given the current market capitalization of under $1 million.

Target the combined $15 billion addressable market by expanding into new, related diagnostic services in Asia. This aligns with the interim CEO's stated focus on near-term revenue generation through commercialization of CE-marked tests in Europe and the UK. The $15 billion figure is cited in relation to the market for the CE-marked tests Hepion is commercializing. Asia Pacific is noted as the region expected to grow fastest in the AI in diagnostics market.

Partner with a defintely established US lab network to co-develop a novel point-of-care testing device. This utilizes the diagnostic expertise gained from the May 2025 licensing agreement with New Day Diagnostics. The US AI Based Medical Diagnostic Tools Market size was $445.05 million in 2025. A partnership could focus on developing a device that addresses the growing demand for real-time diagnostics, a key driver in the broader medical device market.

Here are some relevant market and financial figures to frame these diversification moves:

The strategic actions under this diversification quadrant involve:

• Identifying a small device firm with positive cash flow.
• Structuring CRO service contracts with favorable payment terms.
• Securing a non-liver asset with low near-term capital outlay.
• Establishing initial commercialization in Europe/UK first.
• Targeting point-of-care device development with established infrastructure.

The company's current ratio was reported at 6.75, indicating strong short-term liquidity despite the challenging environment. Finance: draft 13-week cash view by Friday.