[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 reporters on the 15th (local time) during the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference held in San Francisco, California, USA. She stated, "(The JP Morgan event) is an opportunity to officially introduce the company to global investors," and added, "We are continuously seeking technology transfer and joint development opportunities with companies that recognize our value and can develop quickly, conducting six to eight meetings per day." Through this JP Morgan event, DND Pharmatech provided clinical updates and outlined the commercial potential of its MASH (Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis) treatment, 'DD01.'

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

On stage, CEO Lee highlighted the 'rapid action' and 'combined benefits' of DD01. According to DND Pharmatech, DD01 achieved an average liver fat reduction rate of over 62% compared to placebo after 12 weeks, with more than 70% of patients experiencing at least a 70% reduction in liver fat. CEO Lee explained, "Nearly half of the patients reached a normalized liver," and noted, "A mean reduction of 20% in MRE (magnetic resonance elastography, a measure of liver stiffness) was observed just two weeks after administration, and ELF (enhanced liver fibrosis) scores also improved significantly at both 12 and 24 weeks."

'Package data' for metabolic comorbidities was also presented. DD01 demonstrated progressive weight loss up to 24 weeks, with about half of the patients experiencing more than 5% weight loss, and a significant reduction in visceral fat. In a group with a high prevalence of prediabetes, HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin) also showed significant decreases at both 12 and 24 weeks. Based on these results, the company positioned DD01 as a candidate that addresses both weight and blood glucose in the MASH patient population.

The differentiating factor the company emphasized in the competitive landscape is the 'dose titration speed.' DND Pharmatech highlighted that DD01 showed overall good tolerability up to 48 weeks, with a short titration period of only two weeks. In contrast to some competing drugs that require several months for dose escalation, the company argued that a drug demonstrating meaningful effects early in treatment is commercially advantageous. However, the company also acknowledged that the phase 2 trial was small in scale and that liver biopsy data remain to be seen, maintaining that the 48-week results and biopsy data will be decisive.

Regarding the obesity segment, CEO Lee said, "We are advancing multiple oral peptide programs, including those targeting GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide), dual/triple agonists, and amylin, in partnership with Pfizer and others," and added, "We have also confirmed significant interest from several pharmaceutical companies in expanding the Oralink platform to non-obesity indications."

This year, the key themes in the obesity competition among major pharmaceutical companies at the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference converged on 'oral, amylin, and accessibility.' Eli Lilly placed its oral candidates orforglipron and retatrutide, as well as highly selective amylin agonists, at the forefront of its portfolio, building on the success of Zepbound and Mounjaro. Novo Nordisk is reinforcing its commercial execution by focusing on obesity and diabetes, and combining oral, high-dose, and partnership strategies. Pfizer is strengthening its capabilities through cost reduction and AI adoption, and is moving quickly to advance its newly acquired obesity drug pipeline from Mettsera into phase 3 clinical trials, aiming to catch up with competitors.