South Korean pharmaceutical giant LG Chem has announced a significant milestone in its global expansion strategy with the first export of its new diabetes combination drug, Zemidapa, to Thailand. The company officially launched Zemidapa at the Zemi-CONNECT Global symposium held in Bangkok on May 8, coinciding with the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) 2025 Congress.

Zemidapa is a fixed-dose combination therapy that combines the efficacy of Zemiglo, LG Chem’s indigenously developed DPP-4 inhibitor, and dapagliflozin, a well-established SGLT-2 inhibitor. This combination targets multiple pathways involved in blood glucose control, offering a more comprehensive treatment approach for patients with type 2 diabetes.

LG Chem has strategically chosen Thailand, where it already possesses a direct sales infrastructure, as the launchpad for Zemidapa’s global journey. This early entry into the rapidly expanding combination therapy market for DPP-4 and SGLT-2 inhibitors positions LG Chem to potentially secure a leading market share. Notably, the fixed-dose combination segment within the pharmaceutical market has demonstrated an impressive average annual growth rate of 36% over the past three years.

LG Chem emphasized the strategic advantage of being an early entrant in this combination therapy market, allowing it to establish a strong foothold and capture a significant share. The company plans to leverage the existing robust sales and distribution network established for its other diabetes medications, Zemiglo and Zemimet, in Thailand. Zemiglo and Zemimet currently hold approximately 13% of the DPP-4 inhibitor market share in Thailand, demonstrating LG Chem’s strong presence and understanding of the local diabetes treatment landscape.

By adding Zemidapa to its portfolio in Thailand, LG Chem aims to broaden the available prescription options for healthcare professionals and enhance its local academic marketing initiatives and customer relationships. This synergistic approach is expected to further drive growth for LG Chem’s overall diabetes franchise in the Thai market.

Hwang In-chul, Head of LG Chem’s Primary Care Business Unit, highlighted the increasing focus on managing young-onset diabetes (YOD) in Thailand, defined as diabetes diagnosed in individuals under 40 years of age. He stated, “In Thailand, there is a growing focus on managing young-onset diabetes (YOD)... As a result, demand is expected to rise for combination therapies like Zemidapa and Zemimet, which offer strong glucose-lowering effects.”

Looking beyond Thailand, LG Chem has ambitious plans to expand the availability of Zemidapa to other key markets in the ASEAN region and Latin America. The company has confirmed plans to export Zemidapa to countries including the Philippines, Mexico, and Brazil, signifying a strong commitment to establishing a global presence for this innovative diabetes treatment.