This article, written by Dr. Woong-cheol Jang, head director of W Clinic, discusses the emergence of Mounjaro (tirzepatide) as a new rival to Wegovy (semaglutide) in the obesity treatment market, specifically within the context of South Korea in 2025. The author highlights how Mounjaro's superior efficacy is poised to change the landscape of obesity treatment.
The Rise of Mounjaro and its Impact on the Obesity Treatment Landscape
The article begins by noting that Mounjaro, an injectable obesity treatment from Eli Lilly, is set to be released in Korea in August 2025. It points out that while Wegovy from Novo Nordisk has already gained significant popularity and is well-known for its effectiveness, Mounjaro's arrival is expected to shake things up.
The author provides a comparative analysis of the companies' stock performance, suggesting that while both have seen significant growth due to their "game-changer" obesity drugs, Eli Lilly (Mounjaro) appears to be holding up better than Novo Nordisk (Wegovy), a trend attributed to Mounjaro's superior efficacy.
Mounjaro vs. Wegovy: The Key Differences
The core of the article lies in its comparison of the two drugs.
Weight Loss Efficacy: Mounjaro is presented as the more powerful of the two. Clinical studies show that Mounjaro results in an average weight loss of 20%, while Wegovy leads to an average of 15%. The author provides a simple example: a 100kg person could lose an average of 20kg with Mounjaro, but only 15kg with Wegovy.
Mechanism of Action: The article explains the fundamental principle behind these new injectable obesity treatments. They work by targeting "fullness receptors" in the body. Wegovy and other older treatments like Saxenda are GLP-1 agonists, meaning they bind to the GLP-1 receptors to create a feeling of fullness. However, Mounjaro is a "dual agonist" that works on both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, making it more effective at suppressing appetite and inducing weight loss. This dual action also has the added benefits of improving blood pressure and blood sugar control.
Dosage and Pricing: The article notes that Mounjaro comes in 6 dosages, compared to Wegovy's 5. It also mentions a controversial point about Wegovy's pricing in Korea, where all dosages were initially sold at the same price despite a 10-fold difference in active ingredient content. This policy is now being adjusted as Mounjaro's release draws near.
The Future of Obesity Treatment
The author concludes by stating that these new, scientifically-backed and highly effective treatments are a major threat to traditional obesity clinics and oriental medicine practices that use unproven or less effective methods. The arrival of drugs like Mounjaro and Wegovy is making obesity treatment more scientific and accessible, suggesting that in the future, obesity will be a condition that can be treated, not just managed, for a growing number of people.
