LG Chem Unveils 15 Years of Utropin Study Data... Launches New 'EcoPen'

21st LGS Symposium Held

On June 11, LG Chem announced that it held the 21st LGS (LG Growth Study) Symposium for pediatric endocrinologists, where it shared interim analysis results from a long-term observational study of the Utropin product line in Korean children with short stature, as well as the launch of its new product, 'Utropin EcoPen 48'.

Sung Jiwoong, Head of Life Sciences Business Division at LG Chem, is delivering the welcome address at the LGS Symposium. LG Chem

Since 2012, LG Chem has been conducting the 'LGS' study, which collects long-term administration data on the growth hormone Utropin from approximately 10,000 Korean children through 2035. As of the end of last year, about 8,000 patients had been enrolled in the study.

The company plans to contribute to the advancement of research on short stature by providing real-world clinical evidence with the longest duration and largest cohort in Korea. To date, Korean medical professionals have published a cumulative total of 23 papers based on LGS data.

At the symposium, Professor Lee Younga of Seoul National University Hospital and Professor Kim Jahye of Asan Medical Center in Seoul each presented findings on: (1) the results of a 13-year long-term safety and efficacy analysis, and (2) approaches to the treatment of growth hormone deficiency and idiopathic short stature.

Professor Lee reported that an interim analysis of LGS safety data from 2012 to 2025 showed a low incidence rate of serious adverse drug reactions (SADR) at 0.2%, with overall safety indicators remaining favorable.

In terms of efficacy, analysis of changes in height standard deviation over four years of treatment showed continued improvement across all indications for short stature. In the group with growth hormone deficiency, the score improved from -2.3 to -0.8, and in the group with idiopathic short stature, from -2.3 to -1.0. The trend of improvement was relatively higher among patients who began treatment before puberty.

Professor Kim explained that, based on a sub-analysis of long-term exposure to growth hormone treatment over seven years in patients with growth hormone deficiency and idiopathic short stature, endocrine and metabolic markers such as thyroid function and blood glucose remained stable. She also noted that the long-term growth response of Korean patients in the LGS data generally shows trends similar to those seen in major international long-term observational studies.

Sung Jiwung, Head of the Life Sciences Business Division at LG Chem, stated, "The LGS study, which began to address the lack of long-term research data for Korean children with short stature, is now in its 15th year. I hope the LGS study will serve as a compass for the treatment of short stature in Korea and help children pursue their dreams."

At this symposium, a dedicated space was set up to introduce the features and design elements of the new EcoPen, drawing significant interest from attending medical professionals. Sohn Jinun, Head of Research and Development at LG Chem, said, "EcoPen was developed not simply as a device upgrade, but based on the '3-Comfortable' value that emerged from analyzing the real treatment experiences of patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals." He added, "We aim to help improve treatment adherence by reducing the psychological and physical burdens experienced by patients and caregivers during actual injection scenarios."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.