A clinical trial found that Ildong Pharmaceutical's oral obesity treatment can cut body weight by up to 13.8% in 4 weeks. Because patients can take oral obesity drugs conveniently, the market is expected to expand.
Ildong Pharmaceutical announced on the 29th the phase 1 clinical trial results for its obesity and diabetes drug candidate, ID110521156. ID110521156 is a drug in the glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 receptor agonist class. It plays a role similar to the GLP-1 hormone secreted from the small intestine after meals. GLP-1 promotes insulin secretion from the pancreas, which lowers blood sugar, and suppresses glucagon, which raises blood sugar. It slows gastric emptying to induce a feeling of fullness and suppresses appetite in the brain, leading to weight loss.
The company administered the oral obesity drug once daily for 4 weeks at doses of 50 mg, 100 mg, and 200 mg to 36 adults. As a result, those who took 50 mg and 100 mg of the drug saw average weight reductions of 5.5% and 6.9%. Those who took 200 mg saw an average reduction of 9.9%, with a maximum of 13.8%. Gastrointestinal side effects were mild.
Oral obesity drugs can be mass-produced at lower manufacturing costs than injections. Lee Jae-jun, Ildong Pharmaceutical's chief operating officer (COO), said, "We confirmed the weight-loss effect," adding, "Absorption in the body and maintenance of blood concentration were good." The company said it aims to enter phase 2 clinical trials next year.