Celltrion begins primate trials for world's first quadruple-action obesity drug

Celltrion has launched primate toxicity trials for what it describes as the world's first quadruple-action obesity drug, designed to overcome the limitations of existing GLP-1-based treatments. The company is in the final stretch of preclinical development, targeting an investigational new drug application in the first half of next year.

Celltrion announced Sunday that it has begun primate toxicity testing of CT-G32, its next-generation obesity treatment candidate.

The trials involve 252 rats and 48 monkeys to evaluate the compound's safety and toxicity profile.

The testing is a critical step toward establishing appropriate dosing levels and ensuring safety ahead of clinical trials. It will also verify the compound's pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties.

CT-G32 simultaneously targets four receptors, including GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), making it a next-generation obesity treatment that Celltrion is developing with the goal of achieving first-in-class status.

The drug aims to address widely cited shortcomings of existing GLP-1-based therapies — including variability in weight loss across patients, muscle loss and durability concerns — while maximizing overall weight-reduction efficacy.

Celltrion plans to submit an IND in the first half of next year based on the trial data, and is also exploring expanding the drug's indications beyond obesity to metabolic diseases including diabetes and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis.

Celltrion is also developing an oral obesity treatment based on a multi-action mechanism alongside the quadruple-action injectable, aiming to maximize synergies across its product portfolio. The oral treatment targets an IND submission in the second half of 2028, with ongoing research focused on improving stability and bioavailability.

"Building on the global development and production capabilities we have established through our biosimilar business, we will continue to expand new drug pipelines — including in obesity and antibody-drug conjugates — to strengthen our long-term growth engines," a Celltrion official said.