With the spread of GLP-1 obesity treatments fueling rapid growth in the body-contouring market for managing body shape after weight loss, GC Cell Wellbeing (234690) is bringing in a next-generation fat-dissolving injection candidate poised for a Phase 3 trial in the United States, expanding its medical aesthetics business.
GC Cell Wellbeing said Wednesday that it has signed a license-in agreement with Israeli biotech firm Raziel Therapeutics for the domestic development and commercialization of a next-generation localized fat-dissolving injection. Through the agreement, the company secured exclusive development and commercialization rights for the candidate in Korea.
The candidate it has brought in is a next-generation fat-dissolving injection being developed to target fat reduction in specific areas such as the abdomen, flanks and upper arms. Unlike existing fat-dissolving injections, which have mainly been used for facial contouring procedures such as improving submental fat, it targets localized fat reduction across the entire body. The company explained that, unlike competing products, the candidate is characterized by an expected fat-cell removal effect with just a single administration.
Raziel confirmed efficacy and safety for submental and flank fat reduction in a US Phase 2 trial, and after completing Phase 3 trial design discussions with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it plans to begin the trial within the year. It is also conducting a Phase 3 trial for approval in China.
Along with the agreement, GC Cell Wellbeing also made a strategic investment in Raziel. The strategy goes beyond simply securing domestic distribution rights to expanding cooperation in the US FDA trials and the global commercialization process. The company also anticipates investment returns from Raziel's future Nasdaq listing and a rise in its corporate value.
In addition to its existing non-reimbursed pharmaceutical business and aesthetics business, the company handles distribution of the GLP-1 class obesity treatment "Mounjaro." By securing the fat-dissolving injection new-drug candidate as well, it has built a portfolio spanning from obesity treatment to body-shape management.
As the supply of GLP-1 obesity treatments has expanded recently, demand to improve the body shape of specific areas after weight loss is also rising rapidly. The global body-contouring market is projected to grow from about 3 trillion won in 2025 to about 10 trillion won by 2034.
"Through this partnership, we have secured an innovative technology drawing attention in the global aesthetics market," GC Cell Wellbeing CEO Kim Sang-hyun said. "We will swiftly pursue domestic development in line with the US FDA trial schedule and strengthen our competitiveness in the rapidly growing body-contouring market."
