Daewoong expands type-2 diabetes treatment Envlo to Latin America, Russian markets

Daewoong Pharmaceutical's Envlo tablet (Daewoong Pharmaceutical)

Daewoong Pharmaceutical said Friday that it has submitted regulatory applications for its type 2 diabetes medication Envlo (enavogliflozin) in seven countries, including six in Latin America — Costa Rica, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Panama, El Salvador and Guatemala — as well as Russia and the other members of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Envlo is Korea’s first domestically developed SGLT-2 (sodium-glucose co-transporter 2) inhibitor, a class of drugs that lowers blood sugar by promoting the excretion of glucose and sodium through urine. In addition to glycemic control, the drug has shown benefits for blood pressure, kidney function, cardiovascular health and weight management.

Clinical trials have demonstrated that Envlo outperforms global competitor dapagliflozin in key indicators, including glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose, urinary glucose-to-creatinine ratio (UGCR) and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).

According to pharmaceutical market research firm IQVIA, the diabetes treatment market in Latin America and the region encompassing Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States reached a combined 7 trillion won ($4.9 billion) in 2023. The SGLT-2 inhibitor segment, which includes Envlo, saw especially rapid growth — doubling in Latin America and rising 142 percent in Russia and the other CIS members.

In response to this demand, Daewoong is accelerating its global rollout. Envlo is now registered or under regulatory review in 19 countries.

“Our goal is not just market expansion but delivering innovative diabetes care globally,” said Daewoong CEO Park Seong-soo. “We are committed to strengthening Envlo’s presence and achieving our vision of entering 30 countries by 2030.”