Novo Nordisk’s⁢ ‘Wigovi’ Set to Revolutionize Obesity Treatment⁢ in Korea

Novo ⁣Nordisk’s ‘Wigovi’, a groundbreaking obesity treatment, is set to ​launch in ‌Korea next month. Dubbed the ‘dream obesity treatment’, Wigovi has been making waves‌ globally with its impressive weight loss effects, and its popularity is expected to continue in the‍ Korean market.

Wigovi ⁣is a semaglutide-based glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 analogue treatment that works by suppressing appetite and increasing feelings of fullness. ‌Initially launched as a diabetes treatment, Wigovi was later approved as an‍ obesity⁤ treatment in the ‌US in 2021, where it has been met with remarkable success.

According⁤ to Novo Nordisk Korea, ‌Wigovi is scheduled to⁢ be launched ​in Korea next month, with ⁢five ​types of products approved for use in increasing dosages. The treatment is expected to be prescribed to obese patients with a body mass⁣ index (BMI) of 30㎏/㎡ ⁢or higher,‍ or to overweight​ patients with a BMI of 27-30㎏/㎡ and one or more weight-related concomitant ​diseases.

The pharmaceutical industry is closely watching the impact of ​Wigovi’s launch on⁣ the domestic obesity treatment market. Currently, the market is led by Saxenda, which Novo⁣ Nordisk developed before Wigovi. However, Wigovi’s high weight⁣ loss‌ effect and convenience⁤ are expected to make it a popular choice among ‍patients.

Wigovi’s weight loss effect is significantly higher than ‌Saxenda’s, with an average ⁢weight loss of 15% after 68 weeks of administration, compared to Saxenda’s 8% after 56 weeks. Additionally, Wigovi is administered in a once-weekly injection form, reducing the inconvenience of ​Saxenda’s daily injections.

However,⁣ the price ⁣of Wigovi is expected ⁣to be a major factor in its adoption. While ‍the domestic release price ⁤has not been set, the monthly price of Wigovi in the US is around $1,350 (about​ 1.8 million won). In contrast, Saxenda costs between 300,000 to 500,000 won ⁤per​ month in Korea.

The launch⁣ of Wigovi is also ⁣expected to stimulate the launch of competing drugs,⁤ such as ​Maunjaro, an obesity treatment ⁢developed by Eli Lilly. Maunjaro has received approval from the Ministry of ⁢Food ⁤and Drug‍ Safety and is currently reviewing its launch schedule.

As demand for obesity treatments surges, global pharmaceutical companies are⁣ accelerating research and development. According to global research firms Morningstar and Pitchbook, 16 new obesity‍ drugs are expected to be released ‌by 2029. The obesity treatment market is expected to ⁢expand ‌to a scale of 200 billion dollars by 2031.

Domestic pharmaceutical companies are also working to develop obesity treatments. Hanmi Pharmaceutical‌ plans ⁢to present the⁤ target and ‍non-clinical study results of a new ‌obesity treatment⁤ candidate at the American Society for Obesity in ⁢November. Ildong​ Pharmaceutical has started‍ a follow-up phase 1 clinical⁣ trial of⁤ the oral form of obesity and‍ diabetes drug candidate​ ‘ID110521156’, while Yuhan Corporation is‌ developing a ​long-acting injectable‍ form of obesity medication.