Daewoong’s generic version of Migbose approved in Korea

Oral diabetes drug

Is being prescribed off-label for obesity in clinics

Daewoong Pharmaceutical has been approved to sell a generic version of the diabetes treatment Migbose Film-Coated Tablets (miglitol) in Korea.

 

On the 7th, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety approved Daewoong Pharmaceutical's Daewoong Miglitol Tab.

 

(miglitol).

 

Like the original Migbose, Daewoong Miglitol Tab is a film-coated tablet indicated for the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) whose hyperglycemia cannot be adequately controlled by diet alone or with diet in combination with sulfonylurea therapy.

 

It should be taken once daily with a small amount of water before meals or with a small meal.

 

Although the active ingredient was developed as a diabetes treatment, it is primarily being prescribed off-label in practice for weight management.

 

Approved in 2013, Migbose has a structure most similar to glucose, which stimulates the release of GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide) and improves gastrointestinal side effects.

 

Migbose regulates blood sugar by inducing the secretion of GLP-1.

 

GLP-1 promotes the secretion of insulin, which lowers blood sugar, and inhibits the secretion of glucagon, which accumulates glucose and raises blood sugar, thereby regulating blood sugar levels.

 

Migbose induces clinically significant levels of GLP-1 release upon intake, thereby regulating blood sugar levels.

 

It also increases satiety by reducing gastrointestinal motility, making it useful for diabetic patients who need to lose weight.

 

In addition, it is absorbed gradually in the small intestine, reducing the amount of carbohydrates that enter the large intestine, and therefore has relatively few gastrointestinal side effects.

 

Daewon Pharmaceutical transferred the rights to Migbose to Daehan New Pharm in 2020.

 

According to the pharmaceutical research institute IQVIA, the outpatient prescription amount for Migbose increased from KRW 0.5 billion in 2022 to KRW 1.2 billion in 2023.