As the demand for body shape management rises with the spread of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) obesity treatments, South Korean pharmaceutical companies are accelerating their efforts to enter the fat-reducing injection market. This strategy aims to capitalize on the increased demand for localized treatments following weight loss, positioning fat-reducing injections as a new growth area in aesthetics.
According to industry sources, GC Wellbeing recently signed a licensing agreement with the biotech company Raziel Therapeutics for the domestic commercialization of a next-generation local fat-reducing injection. This agreement secures exclusive rights for the domestic development and commercialization of a substance that is approaching Phase 3 clinical trials with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The candidate substance is being developed as an injection aimed at reducing fat in specific areas. It seeks to expand beyond the current focus on submental fat reduction to include various areas such as the abdomen and arms. Raziel Therapeutics highlights that the injection is differentiated by its potential to remove fat cells with just a single administration.
The company has expanded its obesity-related portfolio by securing fat-reducing injections following the distribution of its product 'Mounjaro.' It plans to strengthen its aesthetic business based on a network of dermatology and internal medicine clinics established through the supply of aesthetic injectables like 'Rinex' and 'Multivitamin Injection.'
Currently, the South Korean fat-reducing injection market is primarily dominated by deoxycholic acid (DCA) products. Notable examples include Daewoong Pharmaceutical's 'Violet' and LG Chem's 'Bellacoline.' These injections focus on directly destroying fat cells to reduce circumference in targeted areas.
Daewoong Pharmaceutical has successfully established itself as a market leader by being the first to launch 'Violet,' securing safety and efficacy through a large-scale Phase 3 clinical trial involving over 960 participants and post-marketing surveillance (PMS). The company has built an aesthetic lineup targeting body shape management by adding fat-reducing injections to its offerings of botulinum toxin 'Nabota' and filler 'D-Classy.'
Medytox is also entering the market with 'Newbeau,' the world's first fat-reducing injection using colic acid (CA). This product aims to reduce adverse reactions such as pain, swelling, and bruising by applying a low-surfactant colic acid. Within two months of its launch, it recorded cumulative sales of 10,000 vials.
Through 'Newbeau,' Medytox has expanded its aesthetic portfolio, which previously focused on botulinum toxin and fillers, to include fat-reducing injections. A Medytox representative stated, "As the use of obesity treatments increases, there is also a growing demand for targeted area management. The trend of seeking fat-reducing injections to eliminate residual fat after weight loss is on the rise."
Industry experts believe that the fat-reducing injection market has significant growth potential, given the relatively low number of competitors and the steady increase in demand for non-surgical aesthetic procedures. One industry insider noted, "With the spread of GLP-1 obesity treatments, interest in body shape management is also rising. Since obesity treatments and fat-reducing injections complement each other, we can expect continued efforts to build related portfolios."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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