Novo Nordisk’s weekly growth hormone treatment Sogroya has recently gained health insurance coverage, sparking interest in its potential to shake up the domestic growth hormone market.
However, industry analysts suggest that changes in the market landscape may be limited. This is due to the strong foothold of local companies like LG Chem and Dong-A ST, as well as the importance of long-term safety data and prescription experience in growth hormone treatments.
On Wednesday, industry sources reported that the Ministry of Health and Welfare has approved health insurance coverage for Novo’s long-acting growth hormone treatment, Sogroya. This once-weekly medication is indicated for both adult and pediatric patients with growth hormone deficiency.
The domestic growth hormone market is currently dominated by two major players: LG Chem’s Eutropin and Dong-A ST’s Growtropin. According to IQVIA data, these products held market shares of 40.5% and 33.5% respectively in the past year.
While both Eutropin and Growtropin contain the active ingredient somatropin, Sogroya’s active ingredient is somapacitan. This makes Sogroya more than just a product with reduced injection frequency; it’s a long-acting growth hormone treatment with a fundamentally different composition.
Somatropin, a standard growth hormone ingredient similar to human growth hormone, has a short duration in the body. In contrast, somapacitan combines a fatty acid structure with growth hormone to extend its duration.
Sogroya’s main selling point is its dosing convenience. Unlike most existing products that require daily administration, Sogroya only needs to be injected once a week. This feature is particularly appealing for growth hormone treatments, which often continue for several years, potentially easing the burden on patients and their caregivers.
However, some market experts urge caution. Growth hormone treatment involves long-term hormone use, and healthcare providers typically prioritize long-term safety data and accumulated prescription experience. Existing somatropin formulations have built up extensive safety profiles over many years of use.
This is especially crucial for pediatric patients, where dosages must be carefully adjusted based on growth rates and hormone levels. Some physicians still highly value the flexibility offered by daily formulations.
It’s worth noting that Pfizer’s previous attempt to enter the market with its long-acting growth hormone treatment Genotropin struggled to gain traction. Industry insiders attribute this partly to issues related to injection pain.
Since growth hormone treatments are often self-administered by caregivers, significant pain during injection could negatively impact treatment adherence and overall convenience, particularly for pediatric patients.
Supply stability is another factor to consider. Unlike domestically produced growth hormone products, imported treatments may face uncertainties in supply schedules and quantities.
An industry insider commented that while the weekly dosing schedule is undoubtedly convenient, the growth hormone market isn’t driven by convenience alone. These treatments are primarily for children, so long-term safety data, physician trust, and reliable supply chains are equally crucial factors.