Daewoong Therapeutics' Microneedle Patch demonstrates top-tier drug bioavailability, underscoring the potency of its drug delivery system.
In a groundbreaking development, Daewoong Pharmaceutical, a global leader in treatments for intractable and rare diseases, has announced a new microneedle patch for obesity treatment. The patch, which uses Daewoong Therapeutics' proprietary CLOPAM® drug-delivery platform, has achieved over 80% relative bioavailability compared to the injectable semaglutide formulation.
This milestone represents the highest bioavailability reported for a semaglutide patch and sets a new global benchmark in drug delivery efficiency. The bioavailability comparison was based on a pilot pharmacokinetic study involving 70 healthy adults receiving either the patch or subcutaneous injection, with measurements adjusted for equivalent dosage.
The patch maintains stable drug blood concentration for a week, enabling potential once-weekly dosing with a single high-load patch. This delivery technology could be a game changer in the obesity treatment market by addressing injection pain and the low efficiency of oral formulations, potentially strongly impacting the commercial landscape of obesity therapies.
Daewoong Therapeutics' patented CLOPAM® microneedle platform technology is designed for precise, skin-based drug delivery and currently has 52 patent filings worldwide. The patches help cut down on medical waste from syringes and needles, aligning with sustainability goals in healthcare.
Daewoong Therapeutics plans to broaden collaborative initiatives globally via technology licensing, co-development, and out-licensing for commercialization. The global obesity therapeutics market is projected to grow to 60.5 billion US dollars by 2030, and experts expect delivery technologies improving both bioavailability and patient convenience will be the factor that determines future market leaders.
Seong-Soo Park, CEO of Daewoong Pharmaceutical, stated that this work is the first to overcome the barrier of high-dose delivery with microneedle technology. Bok-Ki Kang, CEO of Daewoong Therapeutics, emphasized the need for high bioavailability and drug load for therapeutic effect.
This result is the highest reported for a microneedle patch with the same active ingredient, far exceeding the approximately 30 percent achieved by existing patches. The patches remain stable at room temperature, reducing distribution costs. Daewoong's semaglutide microneedle patches are a significant step forward in the field of drug delivery, offering a more patient-friendly alternative with convenient, once-weekly administration while maintaining efficacy comparable to injections.
References:
- Daewoong Pharmaceutical Press Release
- Nature.com Article
- Pharmaceutical Technology Article
- FiercePharma Article
This groundbreaking microneedle patch, developed by Daewoong Therapeutics, not only focuses on obesity treatment but also aims to improve health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise by offering a more convenient delivery method. The patented CLOPAM® technology used in the patch is designed for therapies-and-treatments, promising higher bioavailability compared to traditional semaglutide formulations. The technology's nutritional aspect extends to weight-management by providing a more efficient drug delivery, reducing injection pain and the inefficiency of oral formulations. This innovation, with its potential for once-weekly dosing, could significantly impact the technology-driven future of the $60.5 billion global obesity therapeutics market by 2030.
