[Click eStock] "Ildong Pharmaceutical, Korea's Leading Oral Obesity Drug Company"

On July 7, Hanyang Securities diagnosed that Ildong Pharmaceutical is emerging as the leading company in the field of oral obesity treatments in Korea.

Oh Byungyong, a researcher at Hanyang Securities, stated in a report on this day, "Oral GLP-1 drugs, which are much more convenient than injectable formulations, are being highlighted as game changers in the next-generation obesity treatment competition." He explained, "Eli Lilly's 'Orforglipron' and Novo Nordisk's 'Rybelsus' have demonstrated weight loss efficacy and are expected to be commercialized next year. Currently, oral GLP-1 drugs are still in the clinical trial stage worldwide, making this a true blue ocean market."

Researcher Oh emphasized, "Ildong Pharmaceutical is the fastest company in Korea developing an oral obesity treatment. Now is the time to pay close attention to Ildong Pharmaceutical." Currently, Ildong Pharmaceutical is conducting a Phase 1 clinical trial for its small-molecule oral GLP-1 obesity treatment 'ID110521156,' and is scheduled to announce the topline data for the entire Phase 1 trial at the end of August this year. In Korea, D&D Pharmatech, which is also developing an oral GLP-1, has reached a market capitalization of over one trillion won, and the stock price of Keeps Pharma, which is conducting animal studies, has surged, reflecting high market expectations.

In particular, the interim results of the Phase 1 clinical trial for 'ID110521156,' presented last month at the American Diabetes Association (ADA), were evaluated as being on par with global standards. Phase 1 Part B (multiple ascending dose study) involved 36 adults with a BMI of 27 kg/m² or higher, divided into three dosage groups (50mg, 100mg, and 200mg), who received the drug once daily for four weeks. The low-dose group (50mg) showed an average weight loss of 5.5%, while the medium-dose group (100mg) showed an average weight loss of 6.9%.

Researcher Oh explained, "In Eli Lilly's Orforglipron Phase 1 multiple ascending dose study, the medium and high-dose groups experienced an average weight loss of 4.8 to 5.4 kg (approximately 5.7 to 6.4%) at week 4, and in Phase 3, a weight loss effect of 4 to 8% was observed at week 40." He added, "Although a direct comparison is difficult, the initial weight loss effect of 'ID110521156' appears to be significant."

Most notably, tolerability is a key point. The drug showed differentiated results in terms of gastrointestinal side effects and hepatotoxicity, which have been considered the main weaknesses of small-molecule GLP-1 drugs. Researcher Oh emphasized, "Pfizer's 'Danuglipron' saw more than 50% of patients discontinue treatment due to side effects in Phase 2 trials, ultimately leading to the discontinuation of its development. In contrast, in Ildong's 'ID110521156' clinical trial, there were no cases of discontinuation due to gastrointestinal side effects, and no cases of hepatotoxicity were reported at all."