Mounjaro Low-Dose Priced at 280,000 Won
Wegovy Also Drops Price to 210,000 Won
The GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) obesity treatment market has officially entered a phase of intense price competition. With Eli Lilly set to launch "Mounjaro" in Korea next week at a price point in the 200,000 won range, Novo Nordisk has responded by slashing the price of its low-dose "Wegovy" by over 40%, bringing it into the same price bracket. The clash between these two global pharmaceutical giants is expected to reshape the domestic obesity drug market.
According to industry sources on August 12, Eli Lilly will officially launch "Mounjaro" (active ingredient: tirzepatide) in Korea in mid-August. The supply price for the starting dose of 2.5mg (four-week supply) is set at approximately 280,000 won, while the main maintenance dose of 5mg is priced below 370,000 won. Higher doses of 7.5mg and 10mg are reportedly set at around 520,000 won. From the outset, the company is pursuing a strategy of accelerating market entry by setting the low-dose price below that of existing competitors.
Mounjaro distinguishes itself as a dual-acting GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 agonist. In clinical trials, a 72-week course resulted in up to 22.5% weight reduction, drawing attention for its more potent weight loss efficacy compared to Wegovy. Lilly is also rapidly building its distribution network by hiring a large number of sales professionals from domestic pharmaceutical companies such as Boryung.
In response, Novo Nordisk has reduced the supply price of low-dose Wegovy (active ingredient: semaglutide) from 372,000 won to approximately 216,000 won. This represents a reduction of about 42%, making it less expensive than Mounjaro’s 2.5mg dose (about 280,000 won). This price cut was implemented alongside the introduction of a tiered pricing system based on dosage. Previously, all doses from 0.25mg to 2.4mg were priced the same, but now the lower the dose, the greater the price reduction, while higher doses see a smaller decrease. As a result, prices for other dosage strengths are also expected to drop by around 10%.
A staff member explaining Wegovy and Saxenda at Saejongro Pharmacy in Jongno, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
GLP-1 obesity medications can be prescribed to patients with a BMI (body mass index) of 30 or higher, or to those with a BMI of 27 or higher who also have comorbidities such as diabetes or hypertension. In clinical trials, Wegovy demonstrated an average weight loss of 14.9% over 68 weeks with weekly injections, while Mounjaro achieved up to a 22.5% reduction. However, side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and headaches have been reported, and there is a rare risk of acute pancreatitis, making consultation with medical professionals essential.
Industry experts believe that this round of price cuts and the launch of new products signals the beginning of full-scale "price and efficacy competition" in Korea’s obesity treatment market. With Mounjaro entering what had been a Wegovy-dominated market, both companies are likely to strengthen their pricing and marketing strategies to expand market share. In particular, pricing policies for high-dose products and strategies to secure long-term users are expected to be key factors in determining future market leadership.
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