Huons Advances Obesity Treatment Pipeline with GLP-1 and Oral Semaglutide Development

South Korean pharmaceutical company Huons Co., Ltd. Is aggressively expanding its presence in the obesity treatment market, focusing on glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and innovative oral formulations. The company’s strategy includes the development of both synthetic peptide versions of existing injectables and novel oral delivery systems for established drugs like semaglutide.

Expanding Beyond Traditional Markets

For approximately two years, Huons has strategically invested in GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) based obesity treatments as a key driver for future growth Huons. This expansion builds upon the company’s existing portfolio of over-the-counter appetite suppressants, including ‘Hutermin Tablet’ and ‘Fendi Tablet’, and earlier successes with herbal medicine-based obesity treatments like ‘Esra Zin Tablet’ and ‘Daisen Capsule’.

HUC2-676: A Synthetic Saxenda Alternative

In December 2024, Huons received Investigational Latest Drug (IND) approval from South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) to initiate a Phase 1 clinical trial for ‘HUC2-676’ Huons, Korea BioMed. HUC2-676 is a low-molecular-weight synthetic peptide based on Novo Nordisk’s Saxenda (liraglutide). The trial will evaluate the pharmacokinetic (PK) equivalence between HUC2-676 and Saxenda in healthy adult subjects Korea BioMed.

Oral Semaglutide Development

Huons is also pursuing the development of an oral formulation of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy, through a five-year national Research and Development (R&D) program supported by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources Korea BioMed. The project, with a total budget of 8.13 billion won (approximately $5.5 million), focuses on developing absorption accelerators, formulation technology, and production process technology Korea BioMed.

The company has already applied for a patent for an oral drug composition containing semaglutide, aiming to improve safety and bioavailability without infringing on existing patents Korea BioMed. Animal studies have demonstrated improved absorption rates, weight loss, and reduced glycated hemoglobin levels with the new formulation.

Leveraging Manufacturing Expertise

Huons’ existing manufacturing capabilities, particularly its end-to-end production line for cartridge-type topical anesthetics (lidocaine), provide a competitive advantage in developing and manufacturing synthetic GLP-1RA peptides Huons. This technology is also applicable to injectable obesity therapies like Saxenda and Wegovy.

Market Outlook

The GLP-1 receptor agonist market is experiencing significant growth due to increasing interest in weight management and healthy lifestyles. Whereas Saxenda faces competition from newer treatments like Wegovy and Mounjaro, demand remains strong due to its relatively lower price point. The anticipated expiration of Saxenda’s domestic patent this year is expected to further intensify competition and potentially lower drug prices Sedaily.

Huons CEO Song Soo-young emphasized the company’s commitment to providing diverse treatment options for obese patients through continued R&D efforts.