Beyond the injection: Hanmi Pharm builds a full obesity-care ecosystem

Hanmi Pharm is moving quickly to build a comprehensive obesity-care ecosystem that goes beyond prescribing medication to encompass lifestyle management and nutritional support.

Following regulatory approval of Epe (generic name: efpeglenatide) — South Korea's first domestically developed GLP-1 obesity drug — the company has rolled out a digital management platform called Epiday and a tailored line of health supplements under the Epislim brand, rounding out what it describes as a full-spectrum obesity solution.

Epe, the country's first homegrown obesity treatment, went on sale last month, and the dedicated weight management app Epiday has been drawing attention alongside it, according to industry sources Monday.

The app goes beyond simple meal logging, offering a diary feature that integrates tracking of obesity-treatment injection records, physical condition, body composition, meals and exercise.

Users enter their height and weight, and the app instantly calculates their body mass index to assess their baseline health. To prevent data distortion, height is locked to the initial entry and cannot be changed.

The personalized weight-loss plan assignment process is also precisely structured. Users classify their typical activity level across five tiers — very low, low, moderate, high and very high — and the app then recommends one of four diet-intensity options based on the user's condition and BMI.

The four intensity options are weight maintenance, low intensity (roughly 2 to 3 kilograms lost over 12 weeks), standard diet (roughly 4 to 5 kilograms over 12 weeks) and high intensity (roughly 7 to 8 kilograms over 12 weeks).

Once a target weight is set, the app calculates the estimated time needed to reach it and assigns a precise daily recommended calorie intake by combining the user's basal metabolic rate and activity level.

The meal-management system has also been strengthened. Within the target calorie limit, users can choose from three macronutrient preset ratios: a balanced nutrition profile (carbohydrates 50 percent, protein 20 percent, fat 30 percent), a body-fat reduction profile (40:30:30) and a muscle-gain profile (50:25:25).

Meal-logging reminder notifications can be set for breakfast (9 a.m.), lunch (noon) and dinner (6:30 p.m.) to help users build regular eating habits.

A standout feature is the generative AI-powered "AI Coach." Users can type natural-language questions — such as "How many calories are in kimchi stew?" or "How many calories does walking burn?" — and receive real-time nutrition and exercise information, significantly raising the convenience of everyday obesity management.

Hanmi Pharm has also launched three Epislim health supplements designed to address common side effects of rapid weight loss, including muscle loss, fatigue and reduced skin elasticity.

All three are built on body-fat reduction functional ingredients individually recognized by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety — either a lime-cacao extract complex or green tea extract — and are differentiated by the user's specific concerns: Epislim Muscle (containing turmeric extract) to help maintain muscle strength; Epislim Boost (combining octacosanol and B vitamins) to replenish daily energy and endurance; and Epislim Skin (containing low-molecular collagen peptides and biotin) to support skin hydration and elasticity.

All three products incorporate stomach-health supporting ingredients — including peony extract powder, fermented soybean extract powder and mulberry fruit powder — in consideration of the gastrointestinal discomfort frequently associated with GLP-1 treatment. They are selectively supplied to pharmacies capable of providing professional consultations through an online pharmacy platform.

Hanmi Pharm's integrated strategy directly targets the structural limitations of the GLP-1 obesity drug market. The approach bundles drug administration (Epe), diet and medication management (Epiday) and nutritional supplementation (Epislim) into a single continuum, with the aim of minimizing rebound weight gain and side effects after patients stop treatment.

"As interest in obesity management grows, demand is rising not only for weight loss but also for overall physical condition and wellness — including muscle strength, energy and skin health," a Hanmi Pharm official said. "Drawing on our accumulated expertise in obesity and metabolic disease, we will continue to expand healthy and sustainable healthcare solutions."