Wigobi, the Injectable Anti-Obesity Drug, Set to Enter Korean Market

Wigobi, a glucagon-like peptide ‌(GLP)-1 series treatment, has gained ‌popularity as a ‍diet secret among celebrities ⁢like Elon Musk and Kim Kardashian.⁣ After receiving marketing approval in April last year, the drug is finally set to enter the Korean market ⁣next month.

Novo Nordisk‌ Korea has confirmed⁢ that Wigobi will be launched⁣ in the middle of⁤ next month. This injectable anti-obesity drug is administered once a week at​ home by⁢ obese patients and contains the same semaglutide ingredient as the diabetes drug ‘Ozempic’. Clinical trials have shown that Wigobi has ‍an average weight loss effect of 15% over a period of ‍68 weeks.

In ‍Korea,⁢ Wigobi ⁤has been approved ‌for weight loss‍ in ⁤obese patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 ‍or higher, as well‍ as in ​overweight patients with a BMI of‍ 27 kg/m2 ⁣or higher but less than 30 kg/m2, who also have ⁣one or more accompanying diseases. The treatment target was ‌recently ⁤expanded to include patients with a BMI of ⁤27 kg/m2 or higher who can use the drug to ​reduce⁢ the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The dosage of Wigobi starts at ⁣0.25 mg and gradually increases⁢ to 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, 1.7 mg, and 2.4 mg. ‍Five items have been approved for use. Sasha Semienchuk, CEO of Novo Nordisk Korea, expressed hope⁤ that the launch of Wigobi will have a positive impact⁢ on the ‍healthy lives ⁤of obese patients, citing the⁢ fact that over 16 million people in‌ Korea are affected by obesity.

While there is significant interest in Wigobi, some analysts believe that the⁣ actual number⁢ of ⁣orders may not be high due ⁤to the drug’s higher cost compared to existing⁤ obesity treatments like Saxenda. The ⁢director of an obesity clinic ‍noted that October is the ​off-season for the ‌diet market, and therefore, they are adopting a ⁢wait-and-see approach. Additionally, the clinic pointed out that there are fewer‍ patients with severe obesity in Korea, making Saxenda⁤ or other obesity drugs sufficient ‌for ⁤managing the condition.

Novo ⁤Nordisk Korea has completed a demand survey⁢ targeting medical‌ institutions and has announced the release schedule through pharmaceutical wholesalers. As the launch of Wigobi approaches, it remains to be seen how the Korean market will respond ‍to this new anti-obesity ⁢treatment.