Celltrion announced on Tuesday its strategy to establish a strong foothold in the rapidly expanding obesity treatment market by developing innovative drugs that offer distinct advantages over existing therapies.
The company is pursuing a dual-pronged approach: enhancing the efficacy of current treatments with a quadruple-action injectable (CT-G32) while simultaneously developing a multi-action oral medication that significantly improves patient convenience compared to existing injections.
CT-G32, Celltrion’s next-generation obesity treatment, aims to be a first-in-class drug that targets four mechanisms simultaneously, surpassing the dual and triple-action GLP-1-based treatments currently dominating the market.
The company plans to address the drawbacks of existing treatments, such as varying efficacy among individuals and muscle loss side effects, while maximizing appetite suppression and weight loss by incorporating new targets.
Celltrion also intends to expand its development to include a metabolic disease treatment that promotes fat breakdown and regulates energy metabolism. Currently, the company is evaluating the efficacy of its leading candidate substances in animal disease models, with plans to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application in the first half of next year to begin clinical trials.
The multi-action oral medication being developed in parallel is expected to greatly improve patient access to treatment due to its ease of administration compared to injections. Its simple storage and distribution also facilitate ongoing treatment, providing an additional advantage.
Unlike existing oral treatments, which often have limited accessibility due to their classification as controlled substances or produce relatively modest weight loss effects, Celltrion is designing its drugs based on the increasingly popular GLP-1 receptor agonists, aiming to develop a best-in-class medication.
Celltrion is currently conducting research to enhance stability and bioavailability in terms of formulation and molecular design, with plans to submit an IND in the second half of 2028.
A Celltrion spokesperson stated that they’re poised to enter the obesity treatment market, which has tremendous growth potential, with a competitive edge. It will actively explore new frontiers to maximize the corporate value and strive to evolve into a global pharmaceutical powerhouse.