[비즈한국] Global obesity drugs Wegovy and Mounjaro are dominating the domestic market. Since the launch of Wegovy (ingredient: semaglutide), a GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist, the domestic obesity drug market has more than doubled in size compared to before. According to IQVIA, a pharmaceutical market research firm, Wegovy accounted for approximately 80% of the 271.8 billion won in domestic obesity drug sales during the first half of this year, totaling 213.3 billion won. Furthermore, Eli Lilly's Mounjaro (ingredient: tirzepatide), which utilizes a dual GLP-1/GIP (gastric inhibitory polypeptide) mechanism and outperforms Wegovy in the global market, was also launched in Korea in August. In response, domestic companies—as latecomers—are focusing on safety and delivery formulations as key points of differentiation for their own development efforts.
Among domestic pharmaceutical and biotech companies, Hanmi Pharmaceutical128940 is moving the fastest in development. Hanmi aims to apply for product approval for Efpegsenatide, which is being developed as a "Korean-style" obesity drug, to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety within this year, with a target launch in the second half of 2026.
Efpegsenatide is currently in phase 3 clinical trials in Korea, and analysis shows a maximum weight loss effect of up to 30% at the 40-week mark. The percentage of subjects who lost more than 5% of their body weight was 79.42% (compared to 14.49% for the placebo group), while 49.46% lost more than 10% (6.52% for placebo), and 19.86% lost more than 15% (2.90% for placebo). Hanmi Pharmaceutical explains that beyond the weight loss efficacy, Efpegsenatide shows fewer gastrointestinal side effects—such as vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea—commonly associated with GLP-1 receptor agonists like Wegovy and Mounjaro. Because it can be produced at the Pyeongtaek bio-plant in Gyeonggi-do, there is high anticipation that it will be supplied more affordably and stably than the products from global pharmaceutical companies.
With Efpegsenatide as its flagship, Hanmi Pharmaceutical is operating its "H.O.P" (Hanmi Obesity Pipeline) project, which includes developing various obesity treatments such as: the triple agonist 'HM15275' which maximizes weight loss while minimizing muscle loss; 'HM17321', which utilizes a mechanism to induce weight loss and muscle growth simultaneously; and oral or patch-type formulations with high patient compliance. Beyond just drugs, they are also developing digital therapeutics that provide comprehensive obesity management solutions to help patients monitor their lifestyle habits, including diet and exercise. A Hanmi Pharmaceutical official stated, "Unlike most obesity drug developers that announce results after at least 60 weeks, we released top-line results at 40 weeks because we are confident in the superior competitiveness, safety, and marketability of Efpegsenatide. As we look forward to tangible outcomes from the other H.O.P projects that will follow the launch of Efpegsenatide, we will concentrate our capabilities on the successful launch of our first entry, Efpegsenatide."
Domestic companies are also focusing on oral or patch-type obesity drugs that offer higher convenience for patients. Yunovia, the drug development subsidiary of Ildong Pharmaceutical249420, is conducting phase 1 clinical trials for its oral GLP-1 obesity drug candidate, 'ID110521156'. Late last month, the company announced top-line phase 1 results, confirming weight loss effects and safety comparable to injectables. This is drawing significant attention, as oral obesity drugs are a field where global giants like Pfizer, Amgen, and Roche have previously halted development due to inability to overcome serious side effects such as liver toxicity and gastrointestinal distress. Ildong Pharmaceutical aims to enter global phase 2 clinical trials with ID110521156 next year.
D&D Pharmatech434870 has also entered the obesity drug race based on its 'Oralink' oral peptide platform technology. It has licensed out six substances to the U.S. biotech firm Metsera, with total contract values reaching $586.5 million (841.9 billion won). Among these, 'MET-002o' is currently undergoing phase 1 clinical trials in the U.S. Metsera has been gaining massive attention in the global pharmaceutical industry, evidenced by the fact that Pfizer acquired a stake in them for $4.9 billion (7.0256 trillion won) on the 22nd of last month.
Daewoong Pharmaceutical069620 is developing a patch-type obesity drug based on microneedles in collaboration with its new drug development subsidiary, Daewoong Therapeutics. The project utilizes Daewoong Therapeutics' soluble microneedle drug delivery platform 'CLOPAM', incorporating 'pressurized drying' to enhance drug uniformity and stability, as well as 'complete-seal packaging' to lower contamination risks. The patch works by adhering microneedles made of semaglutide to the skin, delivering the drug directly into the dermal layer. While oral drugs have an absorption rate of over 80% compared to injectables, their bioavailability is significantly lower; however, this patch is estimated to have a bioavailability about 160 times higher than oral formulations. On the 1st of this month, Daewoong Therapeutics received approval for its phase 1 clinical trial plan for the semaglutide-based candidate 'DWRX5003' from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, setting the stage for clinical trials.
While domestic companies are inevitably slower to enter the obesity drug market compared to global pharmaceutical firms, the outlook for these latecomers is not necessarily dim. According to Growth Research, the global obesity drug market is expected to grow rapidly at an average annual rate of 13.7%, rising from $33.4 billion (48 trillion won) last year to $73.3 billion (105 trillion won) by 2030. Dr. Sophie Dix, Head of Medical at MedExpress—a service providing urgent care, online prescriptions, and consultation/delivery—noted, "It is rare for the 'first-in-class' drug to remain the best in the global obesity market. Follow-up drugs are often more potent, selective, offer reduced side effects, or can be used in combination therapy, which can lead to improvements in efficacy, tolerability, and convenience."