Health · Pharma & Biotech · 2 hrs ago
South Korean firms develop less frequent and oral weight-loss drugs
South Korean drugmakers are developing new options for obesity treatment that could reduce the burden of injections.
JW Pharmaceutical is working on an injection given every two weeks, while Daewoong Pharmaceutical is developing a monthly injection and a microneedle patch.
Ildong Pharmaceutical is testing an oral drug, and Celltrion is studying a candidate that acts on four targets.
These projects are at different stages, including early clinical testing and preclinical research.
Hanmi Pharmaceutical’s Epe has been approved as South Korea’s first homegrown GLP-1 obesity drug.
Epe could be prescribed by the end of October, after its first shipment on October 22; the company’s chief executive said it might be available around October 29.
Longer-lasting or oral treatments aim to ease injection-related burdens, while Epe’s arrival is expected to bring competition in South Korea’s obesity-drug market.
South Korean drugmakers are developing weight-loss treatments that require less frequent injections or can be taken orally.
JW Pharmaceutical is developing a two-week injection, while Daewoong Pharmaceutical is working on a monthly injection and a microneedle patch.
Ildong Pharmaceutical is advancing an oral drug candidate, and Celltrion is testing a candidate designed to act on four targets.
Hanmi Pharmaceutical’s Epe, described as South Korea’s first domestic GLP-1 weight-loss drug, was approved this month and is expected to become available for prescriptions by the end of October.
- Who
- South Korean drugmakers JW Pharmaceutical, Daewoong Pharmaceutical, Ildong Pharmaceutical, Celltrion and Hanmi Pharmaceutical.
- What
- Companies are developing weight-loss treatments with less frequent injections, oral dosing, a microneedle patch or action on multiple targets. Hanmi’s Epe is nearing prescription availability.
- When
- The report was published on October 24, 2026. Epe was approved on October 7, and its first shipment was made on October 22.
- Where
- South Korea.
- Why
- The companies aim to reduce the burden of injections and long-term treatment, improve convenience and offer different treatment options.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Ildong Pharmaceutical disclosed topline results from a phase 1 trial of its oral GLP-1 candidate.
JW Pharmaceutical licensed a drug candidate from China’s Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals.
JW Pharmaceutical applied for phase 3 trial plans for obesity and type 2 diabetes.
South Korea’s food and drug regulator approved Hanmi Pharmaceutical’s Epe.
Hanmi Pharmaceutical said it made the first shipment of Epe.
- JW Pharmaceutical candidate
- Intended for injection every two weeks, compared with weekly injections.
- Daewoong Pharmaceutical candidate
- Developing a monthly injection and a microneedle patch.
- Ildong Pharmaceutical candidate
- Oral GLP-1 drug; phase 1 trial completed and phase 2 preparatory research under way.
- Celltrion candidate
- Preclinical development of a weight-loss drug acting on four targets.
- Epe approval
- Approved October 7 as South Korea’s 45th new drug and first domestically developed GLP-1 weight-loss drug.
What people are saying
We made the first shipment today (the 22nd), and if things go quickly, perhaps it could be possible to prescribe it about a week later (the 29th).
The long-acting injection aims to reduce the burden of medication during long-term treatment by reducing the number of doses.
The microneedle patch focuses on reducing the burden of using needles and improving convenience for self-administration.