LG Chem Launches First Export of Diabetes Drug "Zemidapa" in Thailand

Proactive Entry into the Rapidly Growing Combination Drug Market
Expanding from the ASEAN Hub to Target Latin America

LG Chem is accelerating its global market expansion by launching the diabetes combination drug "Zemidapa" in Thailand, a key hub of the ASEAN region.

LG Chem is celebrating the launch of the diabetes combination drug "Zemidapa" in Thailand at the "Zemi-CONNECT Global" symposium held in Bangkok, Thailand. LG Chem

On May 8, LG Chem announced that it held the "Zemi-CONNECT Global" symposium in Bangkok, Thailand, with around 120 endocrinologists from Korea, Thailand, and the Philippines, to mark the launch of Zemidapa in Thailand and to share its global business plans. The event took place as part of the "International Diabetes Federation (IDF) 2025 Congress," where LG Chem participated as a main sponsor.

Zemidapa is a combination drug that brings together "Zemiglo," the first domestically developed DPP-4 inhibitor for diabetes, and "Dapagliflozin," an SGLT-2 inhibitor.

To ensure the successful global rollout of Zemidapa, LG Chem prioritized entering the Thai market, which has an established direct sales infrastructure. According to pharmaceutical market research firm IQVIA MIDAS, the total market size in Thailand for DPP-4 inhibitors and SGLT-2 inhibitors is expected to reach approximately KRW 250 billion in 2024. Notably, the market for combination drugs of these two classes has recorded an average annual growth rate of 36% over the past three years.

LG Chem stated that it is significant to have entered this combination drug market as the second player, thereby laying the groundwork for securing an early market lead.

LG Chem plans to leverage its existing sales networks for Zemiglo and Zemimet in Thailand to create business synergy. With the launch of Zemidapa, the company aims to provide broader prescription options and expand its business in Thailand by strengthening local academic marketing and customer networks. Last year, Zemiglo and Zemimet held a market share of about 13% in the DPP-4 inhibitor segment in Thailand.

Hwang Incheol, Head of the Primary Care Division at LG Chem, said, "In Thailand, the importance of managing young-onset diabetes (YOD) patients under the age of 40 is growing, so demand for combination drugs with strong blood glucose-lowering effects, such as Zemidapa and Zemimet, is expected to continue increasing. Starting with our entry into Thailand, we will expand our business performance in ASEAN and Latin American markets, including the Philippines, Mexico, and Brazil."