[JPM 2026]DND Pharmatech Approaches Big Pharma with MASH Treatment

Obesity Drug Development Enters 'Round Two'
Focus Shifts to Oral Formulations and Amylin Combination Therapies

Seulgi Lee, CEO of DND Pharmatech, met with a reporter on the 15th (local time) during the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference held in San Francisco, California, USA, and said, "(The JP Morgan event) is an opportunity to officially introduce our company to global investors." She added, "We are continuously seeking technology transfer and joint development with companies that recognize our value and can develop quickly, holding six to eight meetings a day." Through this JP Morgan event, DND Pharmatech presented updates on the clinical progress and commercialization potential of its MASH (Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis) treatment candidate, 'DD01'.

Seulgi Lee, CEO of DND Pharmatech, was interviewed by reporters on the 15th (local time) during the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference held in San Francisco, California, USA. San Francisco (USA) Photo by Donghoon Jung

On stage, CEO Lee highlighted the 'rapid action' and 'combinatorial benefits' of DD01. According to DND Pharmatech, DD01 showed an average liver fat reduction rate of over 62% compared to placebo at 12 weeks, and more than 70% of patients experienced a reduction of over 70% in liver fat. Lee stated, "Nearly half of the patients reached a normalized liver," and explained, "A mean 20% reduction in MRE (liver stiffness) was observed just two weeks after administration, and the ELF (liver fibrosis marker) score also improved significantly at both 12 and 24 weeks."

'Package data' on metabolic comorbidities was also presented. DD01 demonstrated progressive weight loss up to 24 weeks, with about half of the patients experiencing a weight reduction of more than 5%, and a significant decrease in visceral fat was also observed. In a group with a high prevalence of prediabetes, HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin) levels also decreased significantly at both 12 and 24 weeks, positioning DD01 as a candidate that addresses both weight and blood sugar in the MASH patient population.

The differentiating factor emphasized by the company in the competitive landscape is the 'titration speed'. DND Pharmatech highlighted that DD01 demonstrated overall good tolerability up to 48 weeks, and the titration period is as short as two weeks. In contrast to some competitor drugs that require months for dose escalation, the logic is that a drug showing meaningful effects early in treatment is commercially advantageous. However, the company also noted that the Phase 2 trial was small in scale and that liver biopsy data is still pending, maintaining the view that the 48-week results and biopsy data will be decisive.

Regarding the obesity sector, CEO Lee said, "Pfizer is advancing multiple oral peptide programs, including oral GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), dual and triple agonists, and amylin. We have also confirmed strong interest from several pharmaceutical companies in expanding the Oralink platform to non-obesity indications."

At this year's JP Morgan Healthcare Conference, the key words for the obesity competition among major pharmaceutical companies converged on 'oral, amylin, and accessibility'. Eli Lilly, building on the success of Zepbound and Mounjaro, prominently featured its follow-up portfolio, including the oral candidates orforglipron and retatrutide, as well as highly selective amylin agonists. Novo Nordisk is reinforcing its commercial execution by refocusing on obesity and diabetes, and combining oral, high-dose, and partnership strategies. Pfizer is strengthening its capabilities through cost reduction and AI expansion, and is quickly advancing the obesity drug pipeline acquired from Mettler into Phase 3 clinical trials, aiming to catch up with competitors.