Yuhan Corporation is broadening its obesity treatment portfolio through a differentiation strategy, according to industry sources on May 12. The company is expanding R&D by pursuing long-acting injectables, oral therapies, and novel mechanism candidates.
The global obesity treatment market, currently dominated by Novo Nordisk's Wegovy and Eli Lilly's Mounjaro (GLP-1 receptor agonists), reached $46.073 billion (approx. KRW 70 trillion) last year, up 82% year-on-year, per IQVIA. The market is projected to grow to $100 billion (approx. KRW 148 trillion) by 2030. South Korea's domestic market ranked fifth globally at $377 million (approx. KRW 559.5 billion), with the highest growth rate of 137% year-on-year.
To address market trends, Yuhan is developing candidates that improve upon existing GLP-1 therapies. It aims to create ultra-long-acting injectables administered monthly instead of weekly, enhancing patient convenience and long-term compliance. In collaboration with drug delivery platform company Inventage Lab, Yuhan is developing IVL3021 (based on Wegovy's active ingredient) and IVL3024 (based on Mounjaro's active ingredient), both targeting IND submission for Phase 1 clinical trials this year. The long-acting platform technology extends drug efficacy duration and reduces hospital visit burdens.
Oral obesity treatments are another key focus. Oral medications enable mass production, improving supply stability, patient accessibility, and price competitiveness versus injectables. Globally, Novo Nordisk's oral Wegovy pill, launched in the U.S. in January, has accumulated over 2 million prescriptions. Eli Lilly's oral obesity drug, 'Foundeo', was introduced in April, marking the era of oral anti-obesity drugs.
Yuhan is developing oral candidates YHC1140 and YH34160, targeting preclinical entry this year. These candidates are based on novel mechanisms distinct from existing GLP-1 agonists. While GLP-1 drugs mimic gut hormones to indirectly signal appetite suppression to the brain, Yuhan's candidates directly regulate appetite signals. The company expects stronger weight-loss effects by directly targeting brain-generated signals.
Industry observers anticipate that the obesity treatment market will shift from simple weight-loss efficacy to differentiation in administration convenience and cost efficiency. Yuhan is accelerating its differentiation strategy through long-acting platforms, oral formulations, and novel mechanisms.
Source: Read the original report | Published: May 12, 2026