Daewoong Pharmaceutical said Thursday that it has formed a consortium with Tionab Therapeutics, Daehan Nupharm, and Dalim Biotech to develop a once-monthly injectable obesity treatment based on semaglutide.
From left, Lim Duck-soo, CEO of Tionlab Therapeutics; Park Sung-soo, CEO of Daewoong Pharmaceutical; Chung Hwan-kyu, CEO of Dalim Biotech; and Lee Won-suk, CEO of Daehan Nupharm, pose for a commemorative photo on Wednesday after signing a joint development contract for an obesity treatment at Daewoong Pharmaceutical's headquarters in Seoul. (Courtesy of Daewoong Pharmaceutical)
From left, Lim Duck-soo, CEO of Tionlab Therapeutics; Park Sung-soo, CEO of Daewoong Pharmaceutical; Chung Hwan-kyu, CEO of Dalim Biotech; and Lee Won-suk, CEO of Daehan Nupharm, pose for a commemorative photo on Wednesday after signing a joint development contract for an obesity treatment at Daewoong Pharmaceutical's headquarters in Seoul. (Courtesy of Daewoong Pharmaceutical)
The collaborative project aims to improve drug delivery efficiency and sustained therapeutic effects compared to existing treatments. The partnership will leverage each company's expertise to expedite development from preclinical studies through regulatory approval.
Tionlab Therapeutics' proprietary Qujectsphere drug delivery platform is central to the innovation, enabling dosing intervals to be extended from weekly to monthly, a Daewoong official said. The technology addresses limitations of traditional drug delivery systems by ensuring gradual, sustained medication release and minimizing side effects.
"The platform achieves an industry-leading drug loading rate by incorporating semaglutide at a high density of 20 percent within delivery particles," the company official explained. “This approach allows effective treatment with smaller 1-milliliter injections, potentially reducing patient discomfort.”
Preclinical studies for GLP toxicity testing and dose optimization are currently underway, with clinical trials expected to begin in Korea next year following formulation refinement. Daewoong also plans to leverage this drug delivery technology for expanding its pipeline into endocrine and metabolic therapies.
In addition to extending the dosing interval, the Daewoong official noted that the company is also exploring innovations in administration methods, such as microneedle patches and oral formulations to establish global leadership in the obesity treatment market.
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Kim Ji-hye jkim404@docdocdoc.co.kr
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