[Edaily Reporter NA EUN-KYUNG ] “Epe” (active ingredient: efeglenatide), the first domestically developed glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 class obesity drug from HanmiPharm(128940), will be available by prescription at select medical institutions starting on the 29th. Attention is focused on whether Epe, which is positioned as a more affordable alternative to existing obesity treatments like Wegovy and Mounjaro, will be able to establish itself as a new option in the domestic obesity treatment market.

According to HanmiPharm on the 29th, Epe began shipping on the 22nd and is expected to be available for prescription at select medical institutions starting today. However, the actual timing of availability may vary depending on each institution’s product delivery schedule.

Epe is a GLP-1 receptor agonist developed in-house by HanmiPharm. It received marketing approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on the 7th. This marks the first approval of a GLP-1-class obesity treatment developed independently by a domestic pharmaceutical company. It was developed using HanmiPharm’s “Lapscovery” long-acting platform technology, enabling once-weekly administration.

Supply price for the first 4 weeks is 129,800 won… The high-dose version costs approximately 300,000 won

Epe’s greatest competitive advantage is its price. The reported prices for Epe by dosage are: △2 mg – 24,200 won △4 mg – 40,700 won △6 mg – 57,200 won △8 mg – 69,300 won △10 mg – 74,800 won.

Epe is administered at 2 mg for the first two weeks, followed by an increase to 4 mg for the next two weeks. Accordingly, the supply price for the first four weeks of treatment is 129,800 won, which is about half the price of Mounjaro’s four-week supply at the lowest dosage—approximately 278,000 won. It is also cheaper than the supply price for the lowest dose of Wegovy, which is approximately 210,000 to 220,000 won.

However, Epe’s price competitiveness is most pronounced during the initial dosing phase. As the dosage increases, the supply price rises to 228,800 won for weeks 5–8 and to 277,200 won for weeks 9–12. If the maximum dose of 10 mg is maintained for four weeks, the supply price is 299,200 won.

Epe is a non-reimbursable prescription drug not covered by health insurance. Therefore, the supply price does not necessarily equal the actual cost borne by the patient. The final out-of-pocket cost may vary depending on pricing policies at medical institutions and pharmacies, as well as the specific treatment and prescription environment.

Average 9.75% Weight

Loss

Over 40 Weeks… Market Stabilization Is Key

In a Phase 3 clinical trial involving 448 obese patients in South Korea, Epe demonstrated an average weight loss of 9.

75%

after 40 weeks of treatment. HanmiPharm highlights its competitive edge by noting that the drug’s efficacy and safety were confirmed through clinical trials conducted on Korean subjects.

Epe’s domestic approval targets obese adults without diabetes who have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, or overweight patients with a BMI of 27 or higher but less than 30 who have weight-related comorbidities. Obese patients with diabetes are not currently included in the approved patient population.

The domestic obesity treatment market is led by Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro. For Epe to compete with these products, it must translate its initial price competitiveness into actual prescription growth while establishing a stable supply system.

HanmiPharm is manufacturing Epe directly at its bioplants in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province. Having a domestic production base is cited as a key strength, as it enables the company to respond to future increases in demand. However, given the limited initial supply, it is expected to take some time for prescriptions to expand to medical institutions nationwide.

A HanmiPharm official stated, “To ensure a successful foothold in the domestic market, we will enhance patients’ access to treatment based on rigorous quality control and a reasonable pricing structure,” adding, “We will do our utmost to contribute to the public’s healthy weight loss and comprehensive management of metabolic disorders, and furthermore, to significantly improve the quality of life for patients with obesity.”