LG Chem Achieves First Export Milestone for New Diabetes Combination Drug, Zemidapa

Key Highlights:

• Launch Market: Thailand — the ASEAN hub — marking LG Chem’s first export of Zemidapa, a fixed-dose diabetes combination therapy.
• Therapy Composition: Combines Zemiglo (Korea’s first domestically developed DPP-4 inhibitor) with dapagliflozin (an SGLT-2 inhibitor).
• Market Opportunity: Thailand’s combined DPP-4 and SGLT-2 inhibitor market is valued at around KRW 250 billion (2024), growing 36% annually in the fixed-dose combination segment.
• Strategic Advantage: Leveraging LG Chem’s existing Zemiglo and Zemimet sales network, which already holds a 13% market share in Thailand’s DPP-4 inhibitor space.
• Event Launch: Announced at the Zemi-CONNECT Global Symposium in Bangkok, attended by over 120 endocrinologists from Korea, Thailand, and the Philippines, alongside the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) 2025 Congress.
• Target Markets: Following Thailand, exports will expand to the Philippines, Mexico, and Brazil.
• Focus Area: Addressing young-onset diabetes (YOD) with advanced combination therapies.

“Demand for strong glucose-lowering combination therapies like Zemidapa and Zemimet is rising rapidly,” said Hwang In-chul, Head of LG Chem’s Primary Care Business Unit. “Starting with Thailand, we aim to strengthen our presence across ASEAN and Latin America.”

LG Chem’s launch of Zemidapa marks a significant milestone in its global pharmaceutical journey, combining innovation in diabetes management with strong regional strategy and partnerships across high-growth emerging markets.

On the 8th, LG Chem announced that it had hosted the Zemi-CONNECT Global symposium in Bangkok, Thailand, gathering over 120 endocrinologists from Korea, Thailand, and the Philippines. During the event, the company officially announced the launch of Zemidapa in Thailand and outlined its global business expansion plans. The symposium was held as part of the official agenda of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) 2025 Congress, where LG Chem participated as a main sponsor.

Zemidapa is a fixed-dose combination therapy that brings together two active ingredients: Zemiglo, Korea’s first domestically developed DPP-4 inhibitor, and dapagliflozin, an SGLT-2 inhibitor.

LG Chem prioritized entry into the Thai market, where it has established a direct sales infrastructure, as the first step in Zemidapa’s global expansion strategy. According to IQVIA MIDAS, a global pharmaceutical market research firm, the combined market for DPP-4 and SGLT-2 inhibitors in Thailand is estimated at approximately KRW 250 billion in 2024. Notably, the market for fixed-dose combination therapies combining the two classes has recorded an average annual growth rate of 36% over the past three years.

LG Chem emphasized that entering this combination therapy market as the second player is significant in securing an early foothold for market leadership.

LG Chem plans to create business synergy in Thailand by leveraging its existing sales networks for Zemiglo and Zemimet. With the launch of Zemidapa, the company aims to expand prescription options while strengthening local academic marketing efforts and customer networks to drive further growth in its Thai operations. As of last year, Zemiglo and Zemimet held approximately 13% of the DPP-4 inhibitor market in Thailand, establishing themselves as leading products driving the growth of the country’s diabetes treatment sector.

Hwang In-chul, Head of LG Chem’s Primary Care Business Unit, stated, “In Thailand, there is a growing focus on managing young-onset diabetes (YOD), which refers to patients diagnosed under the age of 40. As a result, demand is expected to rise for combination therapies like Zemidapa and Zemimet, which offer strong glucose-lowering effects.” He added, “Starting with the launch of Zemidapa in Thailand, we aim to expand our business performance across ASEAN and Latin American markets.”

LG Chem plans to continue exporting Zemidapa to countries including the Philippines, Mexico, and Brazil.