Injection clinical trial filing in H1 2026; oral drug to follow in H2 2028
Celltrion is entering the competitive obesity drug market with plans for both an injectable and an oral weight loss medication, the South Korean biopharmaceutical firm announced Tuesday.
The company is actively developing CT-G32, a novel, first-in-class quadruple-agonist injection. This investigational drug leverages glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a mechanism widely utilized in popular weight-loss medications like Wegovy and Mounjaro.
Celltrion, known for its biosimilars, states that CT-G32 is designed to improve upon existing GLP-1 obesity treatments, which often rely on dual- or triple-agonist injections. The goal is to address shortcomings such as muscle loss and inconsistent patient response, while simultaneously adding a new target to enhance appetite control and promote more effective weight loss.
According to Celltrion, CT-G32 is currently undergoing preclinical evaluation to assess its effects in animal models. The company anticipates submitting an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to regulatory bodies in the first half of 2027.
In addition to the injectable, Celltrion is also developing a multi-target oral weight-loss drug. This medication aims to offer improved accessibility and convenience through easier storage and distribution, supporting sustainable treatment adherence. The company intends to develop a best-in-class oral GLP-1 based drug.
To achieve this, Celltrion is focusing on enhancing stability and bioavailability through advanced formulation and molecular design. The target submission date for the IND for the oral medication is the second half of 2028.
The World Health Organization reports that the global prevalence of overweight adults has surpassed 40 percent, a significant increase from approximately 25 percent in the 1990s. Market analysis firm GlobalData projects the global obesity treatment market will reach $173.5 billion by 2031.
“Building upon our established strength in therapeutic areas such as autoimmune diseases and cancer, we have recently expanded into ophthalmic and bone diseases. We are now preparing to enter the obesity treatment market, which offers substantial growth potential, with a highly competitive approach,” stated a Celltrion official.
“We are committed to maximizing our corporate value and becoming a leading global pharmaceutical company by actively pursuing opportunities in innovative sectors.”
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