JW secures biweekly obesity drug, eyes fast commercialization

Apr 10, 2026, 09:23 am

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JW Pharmaceutical Chairman Lee Kyung-ha (right) and Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals Chairman Wei Chen pose after signing an exclusive licensing agreement for the obesity drug candidate Bofanglutide on April 8. / JW Pharmaceutical

JW Pharmaceutical has entered the fast-growing obesity treatment market by securing rights to a biweekly injectable drug candidate, betting on improved convenience as a competitive edge.

The company announced that it signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals on April 8 for the GLP-1 receptor agonist candidate Bofanglutide, gaining rights for domestic development and commercialization.

Under the deal, JW Pharmaceutical will pay an upfront fee of $5 million, with total payments reaching up to $81.1 million, including milestone payments tied to development, approval and sales across four indications: obesity, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).

Bofanglutide is administered via subcutaneous injection once every two weeks and is currently undergoing Phase 3 clinical trials for obesity in China. As a GLP-1 receptor agonist, it enhances insulin secretion, regulates blood glucose and prolongs satiety.

In Phase 2b trials, the drug demonstrated an average weight reduction of 17.29% over 30 weeks, showing meaningful improvements in both weight loss and glucose control compared with existing weekly treatments.

JW Pharmaceutical sees the extended dosing interval as a key differentiator. Current leading obesity drugs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro require once-weekly injections, and a biweekly option could improve patient convenience.

However, competition in the obesity drug market is intensifying. Global pharmaceutical companies are accelerating the development of once-monthly long-acting treatments, while oral obesity drugs are also emerging as potential alternatives.

Industry analysts say the timing of commercialization will be critical. With Bofanglutide already in advanced clinical stages, JW Pharmaceutical is expected to focus on shortening development timelines. The company plans to initiate Phase 3 clinical trials in Korea for obesity and type 2 diabetes in the second half of this year.

JW Pharmaceutical CEO Shin Young-seop said, “This agreement allows us to expand our portfolio in the rapidly growing metabolic disease sector, centered on diabetes and obesity,” adding that the company will push for swift domestic commercialization based on its development and regulatory capabilities.

#JW Pharmaceutical #Bofanglutide #obesity drug #GLP-1 #Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals