Obesity treatment has entered a new era in South Korea as the first domestically developed GLP-1 obesity drug, 'Epe' (active ingredient: epeglanatide), is set to be prescribed starting November 29. This new drug challenges the dominance of Eli Lilly's 'Mounjaro' and Novo Nordisk's 'Wegovy' in the local market, as global pharmaceutical giants are also ramping up their efforts with next-generation obesity drugs. With the global obesity drug market projected to reach $200 billion (approximately 265 trillion won), competition is heating up both in pricing and drug development.
According to industry sources, the introduction of 'Epe' aims to address the high costs that have hindered access to obesity medications. Currently, 'Wegovy' and 'Mounjaro' are not covered by health insurance, with monthly costs starting at around 200,000 won for the lowest dosage. An analysis by IQVIA indicates that the persistence rate for obesity drug usage drops below 30% after one year, and falls to under 10% among patients facing significant financial burdens. In contrast, the supply price for the first four weeks of 'Epe' is set at 129,800 won, roughly half the cost of 'Mounjaro', which is priced at about 270,000 won for the lowest dosage. This lower price point is expected to attract patients who have previously hesitated or discontinued treatment due to cost concerns.
The competition in the domestic obesity treatment market is not expected to be limited to just three players. Global pharmaceutical companies are also entering the fray, having received approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for clinical trials of oral medications and next-generation obesity drugs with new mechanisms.
Korean Lilly recently received approval for a Phase 3 clinical trial of 'Orforgliprone', a GLP-1 obesity drug taken once daily. In overseas trials, non-diabetic adults who took the highest dosage for 72 weeks experienced an average weight loss of 11.1%. The drug has also received a positive recommendation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Additionally, the company has secured approval for a Phase 3 trial of 'Eloralintide', an amylin-based obesity drug, which works through a different pathway than GLP-1 to promote satiety and may address the muscle loss associated with existing obesity treatments.
Novo Nordisk, the developer of 'Wegovy', is conducting a Phase 3 trial for 'Zinagamtide', which acts on both GLP-1 and amylin receptors. Meanwhile, Roche Korea has received approval for a Phase 3 trial of 'Petrelintide', an amylin analog imported from Denmark's Zealand Pharma. AstraZeneca is also recruiting participants for a Phase 3 trial of its oral GLP-1 obesity drug 'Elecogliprone', and is set to initiate domestic Phase 3 trials for its amylin-based drug 'AZD6234'.
Hanmi Pharmaceutical, the company behind 'Epe', is also preparing to launch additional obesity drugs. It is currently conducting a Phase 2 clinical trial in the U.S. for a triple-action drug (development name: HM15275) aimed at achieving a weight loss of over 25%, with plans to complete the trial in the first half of next year and commercialize it by 2030.
The domestic obesity treatment market is rapidly expanding. According to IQVIA, the market, valued at 242.6 billion won in 2024, grew to 819.5 billion won last year, more than tripling in just one year. 'Wegovy' and 'Mounjaro' currently dominate the market, accounting for approximately 86% of sales.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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