[Special Stock] Daewoong Pharmaceutical Rises on News of Developing Monthly Obesity Treatment Injection

Daewoong Pharmaceutical is showing strong performance. The news that it is pursuing the development of an obesity treatment that only needs to be administered once a month is believed to have had an impact.

As of 3:04 PM on the 12th, Daewoong Pharmaceutical was trading at 122,800 KRW, up 5,200 KRW (4.42%) from the previous trading day.

Daewoong Pharmaceutical announced on the same day that it had signed a contract for the joint development of a '4-week sustained obesity treatment injectable' with Tion Lab Therapeutics, Daehan New Pharm, and Darim Biotech.

The newly developed obesity treatment is based on the semaglutide ingredient. It enhances effective drug release and sustainability compared to existing treatments.

Daewoong Pharmaceutical is applying Tion Lab Therapeutics' long-acting drug delivery platform technology to extend the dosing interval of the existing once-weekly obesity treatment to once a month.

Tion Lab Therapeutics' 'Microsphere (Quject®sphere)' technology is characterized by a gradual drug release without an initial rapid burst, sustaining the drug's efficacy. In addition, semaglutide is loaded at a high density of 20% within the drug delivery particles, boasting an industry-leading 'drug loading rate.' According to the company, this allows the same therapeutic effect to be achieved with a smaller amount compared to competing products, greatly improving patient convenience and reducing treatment burden.

Currently, non-clinical studies for GLP toxicity testing and clinical dose setting are underway, and after completing formulation optimization, the company plans to apply for domestic Phase 1 clinical trials next year. In particular, Tion Lab Therapeutics' drug delivery technology can be expanded to various new drug developments, and Daewoong Pharmaceutical plans to expand its pipeline to include obesity and endocrine treatments.