Celltrion (068270) has launched a dual-track strategy to develop both a "quadruple-action injectable" and a "multi-target oral drug" simultaneously, targeting the rapidly growing global obesity treatment market. The company aims to secure its market position through differentiated mechanisms that go beyond existing GLP-1 class treatments.
Celltrion announced on the 24th that it is concurrently developing an injectable drug including next-generation obesity drug candidate "CT-G32" and a GLP-1-based oral drug. The company targets filing Investigational New Drug (IND) applications for the injectable in 2027 and the oral drug in 2028.
The injectable candidate CT-G32 aims to be a "first-in-class" drug that acts on four targets simultaneously, surpassing the GLP-1-based dual and triple-action drugs currently dominating the market. The strategy is to maximize appetite suppression and weight loss effects while addressing individual response variations and muscle loss side effects identified in existing treatments. The company is also exploring expansion into metabolic disease treatments encompassing fat breakdown promotion and energy metabolism regulation. Celltrion is currently conducting efficacy evaluations in animal disease models.
Oral drug development is proceeding in parallel. While the obesity treatment market has been centered on injectables, limitations in dosing convenience and accessibility have been noted. Celltrion aims to develop an oral drug targeting multiple receptors including GLP-1, enhancing efficacy and reducing side effects compared to existing single-target oral drugs. Research on molecular design to improve formulation stability and bioavailability is also underway.
The company plans to differentiate between injectable and oral drugs based on patient characteristics and treatment stages. The strategy is to maximize synergy between products by applying injectables to patients requiring initial weight loss or those with poor response to existing treatments, while offering oral drugs to patients on long-term maintenance therapy or those averse to injections.
The global obesity treatment market is showing steep growth. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the proportion of overweight adults worldwide has recently exceeded 40%. Market research firm GlobalData projects the global obesity treatment market will surpass $170 billion by 2031.
A Celltrion official stated, "Based on our development capabilities established in existing core areas such as autoimmune diseases and oncology drugs, we will secure differentiated competitiveness in the obesity treatment market," adding, "We will build a comprehensive portfolio for each treatment stage by developing injectable and oral drugs simultaneously."