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- More than 80% relative bioavailability compared with injectable obesity therapy, well above the roughly 30% reported for existing microneedle patches and setting a new global benchmark
- A potential game changer that addresses both the pain of injections and the low efficiency of oral formulations
- In the obesity treatment market, delivery technology is expected to be the decisive factor shaping future leaders
SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Daewoong Pharmaceutical (Co-CEOs Seong-Soo Park and Chang-Jae Lee) and Daewoong Therapeutics (CEO Bok-Ki Kang) announced that their proprietary semaglutide microneedle patch achieved more than 80%relative bioavailability compared to the injectable formulation in a pilot human pharmacokinetic study.
A magnified view (6.7×) of the microneedle patch developed by Daewoong Therapeutics
This was based on the healthy volunteer study using semaglutide microneedle patch using Daewoong Therapeutics’ CLOPAM® (CLOsed Packed Aero-pressured Microneedle) drug-delivery platform. The study directly compared delivery efficiency with semaglutide subcutaneous injection.
In the trial, 70 healthy adults received single dose of either a semaglutide microneedle patch or a subcutaneous injection. Plasma concentrations were measured and then compared with results from semaglutide subcutaneous injection under the same conditions. After adjusting to equivalent dose, the patch showed more than 80%relative bioavailability compared with injection.
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. It also showed around 160 times higher bioavailability than semaglutide oral tablet.
Therapeutic plasma levels were maintained for one week, supporting the potential for once-weekly dosing with a single high-load patch. The exposure profile was comparable to that of the injectable counterpart, which strengthens the commercial prospects for a patch-based obesity treatment.
Technology as the Decisive Factor in the Obesity Market
According to Grand View Research, the global obesity therapeutics market is valued at 15.9 billion US dollars in 2024 and is projected to grow to 60.5 billion US dollars by 2030. Currently, therapeutic and safety advantages in the GLP-1 drug class are limited, and experts expect Experts expect delivery technologies improving both bioavailability and patient convenience will be the factor that determines future market leaders. Microneedle patches are attracting attention because they address two key limitations of current therapies: pain of injections and low drug delivery efficiency of oral formulations.
While semaglutide oral tablet is available on the market, it has very low bioavailability and requires complex medication regimen, such as fasting before dosing, limiting water intake, and avoiding co-administration with other drugs for chronic patients potentially lowering adherence. A once-weekly microneedle patch offers a simpler, needle-free option that could be used by a wider range of patients, including those who avoid injections.
Daewoong’s Microneedle Technology Innovation Leading the Global Market
The results were made possible by Daewoong Therapeutics’ patented CLOPAM® microneedle platform technology, a dissolving-type microneedle technology designed for precise, skin-based drug delivery. The platform uses pressurized drying and hermetic packaging to improve drug uniformity and stability, allowing accurate dosing with minimal contamination risk. CLOPAM® currently has 52 patent filings worldwide and is positioning to be one of Daewoong’s leading technologies.
Unlike other injectable products containing semaglutide that require cold-chain storage, Daewoong’s patches remain stable at room temperature, which can reduce distribution costs. They also help cut down on medical waste from syringes and needles, aligning with sustainability goals in healthcare.
Based on these results, Daewoong Therapeutics is planning to broaden the collaborative initiatives to the global market via technology licensing, co-development, and out-licensing to prepare for commercialization.
“The microneedle patch must achieve not only high bioavailability but also a drug load sufficient for therapeutic effect,” said Bok-Ki Kang, CEO of Daewoong Therapeutics. “In this study, we incorporated a high dose of semaglutide into a single patch and showed the potential for once-weekly application. This overcomes a key limitation of previous microneedle approaches and provides a strong foundation for global technology transfer and commercialization.”
“Microneedle formats have long promised better adherence, but high-dose delivery has been a challenge,” said Seong-Soo Park, CEO of Daewoong Pharmaceutical. “This work is the first to overcome that barrier. We plan to expand microneedle technology to a wide range of biologics to lead the global platform market.”
About Daewoong Pharmaceutical
Daewoong Pharmaceutical (KRX: 069620.KS), established in 1945, is a global pharmaceutical company headquartered in South Korea. The company develops, manufactures, and markets innovative medicines and healthcare solutions with the mission to improve quality of life worldwide. Daewoong specializes in treatments for intractable and rare diseases, supported by in-house research and development, open innovation, and advanced manufacturing capabilities.
Recent achievements include the development and approval of novel drugs for gastroesophageal reflux disease (Fexuprazan) and Type 2 diabetes (Enavogliflozin) in consecutive years. The company is also developing a first-in-class oral anti-fibrotic agent for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (Bersiporocin), which has received both orphan drug designation and Fast Track status from the US FDA.
About Daewoong Therapeutics
Daewoong Therapeutics Inc., is a subsidiary of Daewoong Group located in South Korea. The company is focused on developing novel drug delivery systems including the dissolving microneedle platform, CLOPAM®. CLOPAM® is currently being applied to various fields including obesity/metabolic diseases and others with aims to improve patient convenience and medication adherence.