Hanmi Pharmaceutical Aims to Launch 'Korean-Customized' Obesity Drug in Second Half of Next Year

The Korean pharmaceutical and biotech industry is accelerating the development of new obesity treatments. Hanmi Pharmaceutical is leading the way, conducting Phase 3 clinical trials with the goal of launching a 'Korean-customized' obesity drug.

Hanmi Pharmaceutical plans to advance the commercialization of its obesity drug candidate 'Efeglenatide' from the first half of 2027 to the second half of 2026. The commercialization timeline has been moved up due to faster-than-expected enrollment of clinical trial participants.

Efeglenatide has a slightly lower weight loss effect compared to global obesity treatments such as 'Wegovy' and 'Mounjaro', but it has improved gastrointestinal side effects. In addition, it is expected to be produced at the Pyeongtaek plant, enabling stable supply at a lower price than global treatments.

In addition to Efeglenatide, Hanmi Pharmaceutical is developing various obesity treatment candidates, including 'HM15275', which minimizes muscle loss side effects and increases weight loss effects, and 'HM17321', which adds muscle growth effects.

HK inno.N, Dong-A ST, Ildong Pharmaceutical, etc. also conducting clinical trials

HK inno.N is conducting Phase 3 clinical trials of its obesity drug candidate 'IN-B00009', and Dong-A ST's subsidiary Metavia is conducting Phase 1 clinical trials of 'DA-1726'. Ildong Pharmaceutical's subsidiary Unobia is also conducting Phase 1 clinical trials of the oral obesity and diabetes treatment 'ID110521156'.

Expectations for Price Competitiveness and Supply Stability with Commercialization of Domestic Obesity Drugs

Industry officials expect that the commercialization of domestic obesity drugs will allow consumers to use obesity treatments at lower prices and solve supply instability problems.