A lot of people are trying to lose weight for a healthier life, a better appearance or self-satisfaction — but losing weight is not all that easy. For those struggling to cut fat, anti-obesity medications are practically magical.
With the global weight-loss drug market expected to reach $150 billion in 2035, Korean pharmaceutical companies are rushing to come up with their own anti-obesity medications. Here’s how far they have come so far.
Hanmi Pharmaceutical leads the pack
- Conducting Phase 3 clinical trials in Korea for Efpeglenatide, a weekly injectable GLP-1 drug, aiming for launch in the second half of 2025
- Promises fewer side effects and added benefits like reduced cardiovascular and kidney risks
- Expected to be priced lower than imports like Wegovy, thanks to local production
- Also working on next-gen drugs: HM15275 shows faster, more effective weight loss than current drugs; HM17321 promotes both fat loss and muscle gain
HK Inno.N
- Gearing up for Phase 3 trials in Korea for Ecnoglutide, licensed from China’s Sciwind Biosciences
- Phase 3 results in China show 9–13% body weight reduction in 40 weeks
- Korean trials to be completed by May 2028
Yuhan
- Developing two alternatives: IVL3021, a once-a-month injectable with Inventage Lab; IVL3027, a Semaglutide-based oral pill using controlled-release microsphere tech
Ildong Pharmaceutical
- R&D unit Yunobia developing ID110521156, an oral GLP-1 drug
- Phase 1 showed up to 11.9% weight loss in just four weeks
Daewon Pharmaceutical
- Testing DW1022, a microneedle patch using Semaglutide
- Phase 1 trials completed, showing strong safety and comparable performance to Wegovy
Why it matters
- Global adoption is stil low — less than 3% in US and under 1% in other countries
- Analysts say uptake will rise sharply as production, cost, accessibility improve
