Korean Lilly to Launch Maunzaro, a Rival to Wegovy, in Korea This August

Launch for Domestic Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity

Korean Lilly announced on July 24 that it will launch its GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide)/GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor dual agonist, Maunzaro Prefilled Pen Injection 2.5 mg/0.5 mL and 5 mg/0.5 mL, in mid-August for domestic patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Logo of Maunzaro. Korean Lily

John Beikle, CEO of Korean Lilly, stated, "Diabetes and obesity are chronic diseases that are closely interrelated and are major factors threatening cardiovascular and metabolic health. Despite advances in science, there are still unresolved challenges in the effective treatment and management of these diseases," adding, "Within the scope of domestic approval, we will actively communicate with healthcare professionals and patients in Korea to help those who need treatment live healthier daily lives through Maunzaro."

Maunzaro is the first and currently the only GIP/GLP-1 receptor dual agonist. As a single-molecule injectable, it is designed for once-weekly administration, selectively binding to and activating both the GIP and GLP-1 receptors. It helps promote insulin secretion, improve insulin sensitivity, lower blood glucose by reducing glucagon levels, and aids in reducing food intake and body weight by delaying gastric emptying.

Domestic and international clinical guidelines, as well as the World Health Organization (WHO), classify Maunzaro as a different class of therapy from existing GLP-1 receptor agonists, based on its mechanism of action and the results of the SURPASS and SURMOUNT phase 3 clinical trials. Accordingly, Maunzaro received the "Best Pharmaceutical Product Award" at the 2024 International Prix Galien Awards, which is regarded as the Nobel Prize of the pharmaceutical industry and is given to the most innovative product in the pharmaceutical field over two years.

Currently, Maunzaro is approved in Korea as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes, and as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adults with obesity (initial BMI ≥30 kg/m²), or in overweight adults (initial 27 kg/m² ≤ BMI < 30 kg/m²) with at least one weight-related comorbidity (such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, or cardiovascular disease).

For both indications, the recommended starting dose is 2.5 mg once weekly, and after four weeks, the dose is increased to 5 mg once weekly. If additional dose adjustment is needed, the dose can be increased by 2.5 mg increments after at least four weeks at the current dose, up to a maximum of 15 mg once weekly.

Meanwhile, the results of the SURMOUNT-5 phase 3 clinical trial, which directly compared the weight loss effects of Maunzaro (10 mg or 15 mg) and the comparator semaglutide (1.7 mg or 2.4 mg) in 751 overweight (27 kg/m² ≤ BMI < 30 kg/m²) patients with at least one weight-related comorbidity other than diabetes or in adults with obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m²), were recently presented at the 2025 European Congress on Obesity (ECO) and published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).

According to the study results, the Maunzaro group achieved an average weight reduction of 20.2% at week 72, compared to 13.7% in the semaglutide group. In terms of waist circumference, the Maunzaro group saw an average reduction of 18.4 cm (7.2 inches), demonstrating statistical superiority over the semaglutide group, which had an average reduction of 13.0 cm (5.1 inches).