▶Improved User Convenience Compared To Existing Injectable And Oral Treatments
Daewoong Pharmaceutical(Daewoong) announced on the 6th that it would begin the development of a microneedle patch for obesity treatment drug loaded with GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1) analog.
The microneedle method, which attaches a 1cm² ultra-small patch to the arms and abdomen, is a cutting-edge formulation evaluated as having dramatically improved user convenience compared to existing obesity treatments such as injections and oral medications. Daewoong plans to start phase 1 clinical trials early next year and realize commercialization in 2028.
The microneedle obesity treatment being prepared by Daewoong is applied once a week to areas with a thin stratum corneum, such as the arms and abdomen. There is no pain because it does not touch nerve cells, and it has the same medicinal effect compared to existing injections.
Because it can be stored at room temperature, there is no need for a cold chain system during the distribution process, like injectables. Microneedles attached to the body deliver GLP-1 drug through microcirculation.
Currently, the mainstream obesity treatment using GLP-1 analogs is ‘subcutaneous injection.’ The most common products are injections once a day or once a week, and they must be refrigerated. Additionally, there is the inconvenience of having to administer the injection directly to the patient, and the effectiveness of the drug may decrease if exposed to room temperature for a long time. Oral obesity treatments have a shallow absorption rate, with a bioavailability of about 1%.
Daewoong previously completed non-clinical trials and secured data on the GLP-1 analog ‘Semaglutide’ series microneedle patch using its own platform ‘Clopharm’ through Daewoong Therapeutics, an affiliate specializing in R&D. Afterwards, through technology transfer, Daewoong Pharmaceutical will begin phase 1 clinical trials early next year.
Daewoong Therapeutics has overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies related to drug uniformity, prevention of contamination, and maintenance of stability through the pressure drying process and tight packaging. In addition, we have a manufacturing technology that protects biodegradable microneedles, which are vulnerable to moisture and shock, in an intact state until the user attaches them.
GLP-1 analog, which is attracting attention in the market as a gamer for obesity treatment, is an ingredient that has a similar effect to the incretin hormone ‘GLP-1’, which is secreted in the small intestine when food is consumed, or blood sugar levels rise.
GLP-1 analogs increased the half-life of the hormone GLP-1, which was only about 2 minutes. It suppresses appetite and simultaneously slows down the peristalsis of the gastrointestinal tract so that food stays in the intestines for a long time, thereby maintaining a feeling of fullness.
Jeon Seung-Ho, CEO of Daewoong, said, “Daewoong declared its vision of ‘2030 Global Pharmaceutical No. 1’ last year and focuses on microneedle, a new administration route technology.” He added, “Unmet demand from medical staff and patients through developing a patch-type formulation of GLP-1 analog, and we want to solve this problem.”
The link to the Korean version of this article is below.
▷대웅제약, 사용자 편의성 높인 '마이크로니들' 비만치료제 임상 1상...1회 1주일 약효 지속
By_BK Min, KDFN kdf@kdfnews.com
