Celltrion

- Celltrion seeks to create synergy in the obesity drug market through the development of a differentiated quadruple-action injectable and an oral drug.

- The multi-target injectable, including GLP-1, is designed to improve the adverse event profile and maximize efficacy compared to existing therapies, with an IND submission planned for 2027.

- The GLP-1–based oral drug is expected to significantly expand treatment access by improving patient compliance, with an IND submission planned for 2028.

- Celltrion aims to establish a foundation for comprehensive market penetration through the development of two types of obesity therapies, tailored to patient characteristics and treatment stages.

INCHEON, South Korea - Celltrion announced today that it is advancing the development of innovative obesity therapies differentiated from existing treatments, aiming to establish a strong position in the rapidly growing global obesity drug market.

The company is implementing a dual-track strategy to simultaneously develop a quadruple-action injectable (development code: CT-G32), designed to maximize efficacy by expanding target mechanisms beyond existing therapies, and a multi-target oral therapy that significantly enhances dosing convenience compared to injectable treatments.

The next-generation obesity therapeutic candidate CT-G32 is being developed as a first-in-class drug that simultaneously acts on four targets, surpassing the currently dominant GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1)–based dual- and triple-agonists in the market.

The candidate is designed to address limitations of existing therapies, including variable patient response and the loss of lean muscle mass, while maximizing appetite suppression and weight loss through its expanded multi-target mechanism. The company also plans to expand development into a metabolic disease therapy encompassing lipolysis promotion and regulation of energy metabolism. CT-G32 is currently undergoing preclinical studies for candidate compounds, with plans to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application in the first half of next year to initiate clinical trials.

In parallel, the multi-target oral therapy currently under development is expected to significantly expand patient access by offering enhanced dosing convenience over injectables. Ease of storage and distribution, enabling sustained treatment, represents an additional advantage.

While existing oral therapies either have limited accessibility due to their classification as psychotropic agents or offer relatively modest weight-loss effects, Celltrion is designing its candidate based on GLP-1 receptor agonists – a mechanism that has recently gained significant attention – as a best-in-class therapy.

In particular, while recently emerging oral obesity therapies from global pharmaceutical companies act on a single GLP-1 receptor target, Celltrion’s oral therapy is being developed to act on multiple targets including the GLP-1 receptor, which is expected to deliver enhanced efficacy and reduced adverse events.

Celltrion is currently conducting research to improve stability and bioavailability from both formulation and molecular design perspectives and plans to submit an IND application in the second half of 2028.

Upon completion of development, Celltrion expects to establish itself as a game changer in the high-growth obesity treatment market based on improved efficacy and convenience compared to existing products. The injectable is being developed for patients requiring substantial initial weight loss or those with insufficient response to existing therapies, while the oral therapy is intended for patients who find injectables burdensome or those requiring long-term maintenance therapy following weight loss. Through this approach, the company aims to maximize synergy between the two therapies and establish a foundation for comprehensive market penetration across treatment stages.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global prevalence of overweight among adults has increased sharply from approximately 25% in the 1990s to over 40% in recent years. As a result, obesity-related complications and associated healthcare costs are rising. Market research firm GlobalData projects that the global obesity therapeutics market will reach approximately USD 173.5 billion by 2031.

“Building on our established leadership in therapeutic areas such as autoimmune diseases and oncology, and following our recent expansion into ophthalmology and bone disorders, we plan to enter the obesity therapeutics market, which has immense growth potential, with differentiated competitiveness,” a Celltrion official said. “We will continue to actively explore new therapeutic areas, maximize corporate value, and strive to evolve into a global big pharma company.”