The South Korean company has introduced new subcutaneous therapeutics and partnered with international medical device firms to widen treatment options for reproductive health.
LG Chem Launches Utipro Subcutaneous Injection for Luteal Phase Support
LG Chem launched Utipro in May 2024 following approval from the Ministry of Food and Safety in February 2024, according to industry disclosures. Utipro is a subcutaneous progesterone injection designed for luteal phase support during assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and artificial insemination. The luteal phase spans from ovulation until the start of the next menstrual cycle, during which maintaining adequate progesterone concentrations is necessary for embryo implantation and early pregnancy maintenance. Utipro supplies this needed progesterone to optimize the uterine environment. According to LG Chem, the domestic market for subcutaneous progesterone treatments has relied heavily on a single imported product, and Utipro is intended to stabilize supply chains.
Adoption of Mochida Pharmaceutical’s Dinagest for Endometriosis
In April 2024, LG Chem released Dinagest, an oral progestin medication containing dienogest, originating from Japan’s Mochida Pharmaceutical. Endometriosis occurs when endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus, and progesterone administration serves as a standard drug treatment to suppress this growth. Dinagest holds over an 80% market share in Japan, where it has also clinical trial backing for treating adenomyosis and dysmenorrhea. According to LG Chem Specialty-Care Business Division Head Kim Sung-ho, endometriosis affects roughly 10% to 15% of women of childbearing age and carries a high recurrence risk without drug therapy. LG Chem plans to apply for domestic sales authorization for Dinagest through its partnership with Mochida Pharmaceutical.
Expansion into In Vitro Fertilization Tools with Kitazato
Beyond pharmaceuticals, LG Chem entered an agreement in late 2023 with Japan-based Kitazato, a global provider of IVF equipment, to distribute reproductive technology tools in South Korea. The product lineup includes oocyte and embryo freeze-thaw solutions, oocyte collection instruments, and embryo culture research supplies. Kitazato’s freeze-thaw solutions report high germ cell preservation rates across 295 cumulative studies. Kitazato’s financial disclosures indicate its sales grew from 68억엔 in the 2021 fiscal year to 103억엔 in the 2025 fiscal year, driven by collaborative research with hospitals and universities. Kim Sung-ho stated that LG Chem will continue to identify clinical demands in women’s health and provide targeted therapeutic solutions as marriage and birth ages rise.
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