Korea's obesity drug market has entered a high-dose race. As the two global heavyweight obesity drugs, "Wegovy" and "Mounjaro," roll out high-dose products one after another, competition over weight-loss efficacy is expected to intensify.
According to the pharmaceutical industry on the 9th, Korea Lilly will begin domestic supply of the 12.5 mg and 15 mg doses of the diabetes and obesity drug Mounjaro (tirzepatide) from the 10th. Following last August's launch of 2.5 mg and 5 mg, and subsequent rollouts of 7.5 mg and 10 mg, the addition of the highest-strength products completes the full line of all approved doses in Korea.
Mounjaro is a dual agonist that acts simultaneously on GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) receptors. In the global clinical trial (SURMOUNT-1), the 15 mg arm showed an average 22.5% weight reduction at 72 weeks, recording the greatest weight-loss effect among Mounjaro dose groups.
The supply unit price for Mounjaro 12.5 mg and 15 mg disclosed in the distribution sector is 675,131 won (including value-added taxes). Initial quantities will be supplied on a limited basis and allocated first to general hospitals and nearby front-door pharmacies.
Rival Novo Nordisk is also accelerating its high-dose strategy. The company is developing "Wegovy HD (7.2 mg)," which has a higher dose than the existing Wegovy (semaglutide) 2.4 mg, and is pursuing approvals in the United States and Europe. Clinical trials confirmed an average 20.7% weight reduction at 72 weeks.
Wegovy HD has not yet filed for approval in Korea. However, the industry expects discussions on its domestic introduction to pick up depending on overseas approval status.
Still, it is difficult to determine superiority between Mounjaro and Wegovy based on clinical results alone. The two drugs differ not only in ingredients and mechanisms of action but also in clinical designs and patient populations.
Industry observers note that higher-dose products could raise concerns about gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea and vomiting, while also increasing cost burdens, so the pace of actual prescription growth bears watching. Currently, low-dose Mounjaro is sold at pharmacies for the equivalent of a one-month supply (four pens) in the high-300,000 won to low-400,000 won range, leading to expectations that patient costs for the high-dose products could be even higher.