Global Diacylglycerol O-Acyltransferase 1 Market Report (2026–2036)
Market Prediction
Western Market Research projects that the Global Diacylglycerol O-Acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) Market, valued at approximately USD 345.2 Million in 2025, is expected to reach a significant valuation of USD 812.8 Million by the year 2036. This growth trajectory represents a robust CAGR of 8.1% globally during the forecast period (2026–2036). The market's expansion is fundamentally driven by the rising prevalence of metabolic syndromes, the increasing focus on orphan diseases like Familial Chylomicronemia Syndrome (FCS), and a growing clinical pipeline of highly selective enzymatic inhibitors.
Market Description
Diacylglycerol O-Acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) is a critical enzyme that catalyzes the final and rate-limiting step in the synthesis of triglycerides. It is primarily expressed in the small intestine and adipose tissue. By converting diacylglycerol and fatty acyl-CoA into triglycerides, DGAT1 plays a central role in dietary fat absorption and lipid storage.
In the therapeutic landscape, DGAT1 has emerged as a high-value target for metabolic and cardiovascular health. High activity of DGAT1 is associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and hepatic steatosis. Consequently, the development of DGAT1 inhibitors represents a strategic approach to treating Metabolic Disorders and Dyslipidemia. By inhibiting this enzyme, researchers aim to reduce the absorption of dietary fats and promote the secretion of gut hormones like GLP-1 and PYY, which help regulate appetite and glucose levels.
However, the market is currently in a "Refinement Phase." Early clinical candidates faced challenges due to gastrointestinal (GI) side effects, such as diarrhea and nausea. The 2026–2036 forecast period marks a pivot toward second-generation, tissue-specific, or partial inhibitors designed to maximize metabolic benefits while minimizing GI distress. This evolution, combined with the rise of "precision hepatology" and specialized treatments for rare lipid disorders, is positioning the DGAT1 market for a decade of high-margin growth.
Market Segmentation
The market is segmented based on specific clinical drug candidates (Types) and the therapeutic areas they target (Applications):
By Type (Clinical Candidates)
-
GSK-3008356: An advanced clinical candidate developed by GlaxoSmithKline. It is a potent and selective DGAT1 inhibitor designed to manage lipid levels and improve insulin sensitivity.
-
KR-69530: A specialized small-molecule inhibitor frequently associated with research into hepatic lipid metabolism and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD).
-
Others: Includes preclinical molecules, repurposed enzymatic inhibitors, and third-generation compounds currently in the discovery phase by emerging biotech firms.
By Application
-
Dyslipidemia: The primary application segment, focusing on the management of severe hypertriglyceridemia and rare genetic conditions like Familial Chylomicronemia Syndrome (FCS).
-
Metabolic Disorder: Targeting the global epidemics of Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity. DGAT1 inhibitors are being studied for their ability to enhance glucose metabolism and reduce adipose tissue accumulation.
-
Gastrointestinal: Exploring the enzyme’s role in gut hormone signaling and localized lipid processing within the intestinal mucosa.
Key Market Players
The competitive landscape features a mix of "Big Pharma" giants with deep metabolic portfolios and specialized biopharmaceutical companies focused on lipid science:
-
Amgen Inc.: Leverages its expertise in cardiovascular and metabolic health to explore DGAT1 inhibition as a complementary pathway to existing lipid-lowering therapies.
-
Novartis AG: A pioneer in the space (previously developing pradigastat), continuing to hold significant intellectual property and research data regarding enzymatic triglyceride synthesis.
-
Viking Therapeutics Inc.: A high-growth biotech player focused on novel therapies for metabolic and endocrine disorders, including NASH and lipid management.
-
Merck & Co., Inc.: Focuses on the integration of DGAT1 targets into broader metabolic syndrome research and combination therapy development.
-
Hanmi Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.: A South Korean leader in drug innovation, actively pursuing metabolic pipelines with global licensing potential.
-
Handok Inc.: A key player in the Asian market, collaborating on the clinical validation and regional distribution of metabolic enzymatic inhibitors.
DROT Analysis (Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities, Threats)
Drivers
-
Epidemic Levels of Obesity and Diabetes: The staggering global increase in metabolic syndrome cases provides a massive and growing patient pool for DGAT1-related therapies.
-
Focus on Rare Diseases: Increased regulatory incentives (Orphan Drug Designations) for treating rare lipid disorders like FCS have accelerated R&D in the DGAT1 space.
-
Hormonal Synergy: The discovery that DGAT1 inhibition naturally boosts GLP-1 levels creates an opportunity to align these drugs with the current "GLP-1 boom" in weight loss.
Restraints
-
Gastrointestinal Side Effects: Historically, high-dose DGAT1 inhibition has been linked to GI distress, which remains the primary hurdle for widespread clinical adoption.
-
High Cost of Clinical Trials: The lengthy and complex nature of metabolic drug trials requires massive capital investment and high risk-tolerance.
Opportunities
-
Combination Therapies: Developing "fixed-dose combinations" of DGAT1 inhibitors with SGLT2 inhibitors or GLP-1 agonists to provide multi-pathway metabolic control.
-
NASH/MASH Treatment: With the high prevalence of fatty liver disease, DGAT1 inhibitors present a strategic opportunity to reduce liver fat directly.
Threats
-
Intense Competition: The rapid dominance of GLP-1 receptor agonists (like semaglutide) may squeeze the market share for oral enzymatic inhibitors.
-
Generic Entry in Related Classes: Low-cost statins and fibrates remain the "first-line" choice for many physicians, making it difficult for premium-priced DGAT1 inhibitors to gain formulary access.
Value Chain Analysis
The DGAT1 market value chain is research-heavy and highly regulated:
-
Upstream (Drug Discovery): High-throughput screening and computational modeling to identify molecules that can selectively bind to the DGAT1 enzyme without affecting DGAT2.
-
Midstream (Clinical Development): Moving from Phase I (Safety) through Phase III (Efficacy). This is where the majority of value is created through successful de-risking of the molecule.
-
Regulatory Approval: Engagement with the FDA (US) and EMA (Europe) to secure marketing authorization, particularly for orphan or high-need metabolic indications.
-
Downstream (Commercialization): Strategic partnerships between biotech innovators (like Viking) and commercial giants (like Amgen) to handle global distribution, physician education, and patient assistance programs.
Market Outlook (2026–2036)
The next decade will see the DGAT1 market transition from "experimental" to "niche specialty." Western Market Research anticipates that the market will not follow a mass-market trajectory initially but will instead find significant success as an Orphan Drug class.
North America will remain the dominant region in terms of revenue, driven by high diagnostic rates for metabolic syndrome and a strong presence of venture-backed biotech firms. However, the Asia-Pacific region, led by China and South Korea, will witness the highest CAGR as these nations face a skyrocketing incidence of Type 2 Diabetes and invest heavily in domestic pharmaceutical innovation.
By 2036, the integration of biomarker-driven prescribing will likely be the norm. Patients will be screened for specific lipid absorption profiles to determine if a DGAT1 inhibitor is the optimal therapeutic choice. Stakeholders who focus on "low-dose, high-selectivity" molecules that avoid GI complications will emerge as the market leaders in this evolving metabolic landscape.
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1. Market Overview of Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1
1.1 Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Market Overview
1.1.1 Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Product Scope
1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook
1.2 Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Market Size by Regions:
1.3 Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Historic Market Size by Regions
1.4 Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Forecasted Market Size by Regions
1.5 Covid-19 Impact on Key Regions, Keyword Market Size YoY Growth
1.5.1 North America
1.5.2 East Asia
1.5.3 Europe
1.5.4 South Asia
1.5.5 Southeast Asia
1.5.6 Middle East
1.5.7 Africa
1.5.8 Oceania
1.5.9 South America
1.5.10 Rest of the World
1.6 Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Impact Will Have a Severe Impact on Global Growth
1.6.1 Covid-19 Impact: Global GDP Growth, 2019, 2020 and 2021 Projections
1.6.2 Covid-19 Impact: Commodity Prices Indices
1.6.3 Covid-19 Impact: Global Major Government Policy
2. Covid-19 Impact Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Sales Market by Type
2.1 Global Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Historic Market Size by Type
2.2 Global Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Forecasted Market Size by Type
2.3 GSK-3008356
2.4 KR-69530
2.5 Others
3. Covid-19 Impact Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Sales Market by Application
3.1 Global Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Historic Market Size by Application
3.2 Global Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Forecasted Market Size by Application
3.3 Metabolic Disorder
3.4 Gastrointestinantal
3.5 Dyslipidemia
4. Covid-19 Impact Market Competition by Manufacturers
4.1 Global Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Production Capacity Market Share by Manufacturers
4.2 Global Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Revenue Market Share by Manufacturers
4.3 Global Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Average Price by Manufacturers
5. Company Profiles and Key Figures in Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Business
5.1 Amgen Inc.
5.1.1 Amgen Inc. Company Profile
5.1.2 Amgen Inc. Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Product Specification
5.1.3 Amgen Inc. Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.2 Handok Inc.
5.2.1 Handok Inc. Company Profile
5.2.2 Handok Inc. Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Product Specification
5.2.3 Handok Inc. Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.3 Hanmi Pharmaceuticals
5.3.1 Hanmi Pharmaceuticals Company Profile
5.3.2 Hanmi Pharmaceuticals Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Product Specification
5.3.3 Hanmi Pharmaceuticals Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.4 Co. Ltd.
5.4.1 Co. Ltd. Company Profile
5.4.2 Co. Ltd. Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Product Specification
5.4.3 Co. Ltd. Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.5 Merck & Co.Inc.
5.5.1 Merck & Co.Inc. Company Profile
5.5.2 Merck & Co.Inc. Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Product Specification
5.5.3 Merck & Co.Inc. Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.6 Novartis AG
5.6.1 Novartis AG Company Profile
5.6.2 Novartis AG Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Product Specification
5.6.3 Novartis AG Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.7 Viking TherapeuticsInc.
5.7.1 Viking TherapeuticsInc. Company Profile
5.7.2 Viking TherapeuticsInc. Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Product Specification
5.7.3 Viking TherapeuticsInc. Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
6. North America
6.1 North America Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Market Size
6.2 North America Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Key Players in North America
6.3 North America Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Market Size by Type
6.4 North America Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Market Size by Application
7. East Asia
7.1 East Asia Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Market Size
7.2 East Asia Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Key Players in North America
7.3 East Asia Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Market Size by Type
7.4 East Asia Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Market Size by Application
8. Europe
8.1 Europe Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Market Size
8.2 Europe Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Key Players in North America
8.3 Europe Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Market Size by Type
8.4 Europe Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Market Size by Application
9. South Asia
9.1 South Asia Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Market Size
9.2 South Asia Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Key Players in North America
9.3 South Asia Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Market Size by Type
9.4 South Asia Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Market Size by Application
10. Southeast Asia
10.1 Southeast Asia Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Market Size
10.2 Southeast Asia Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Key Players in North America
10.3 Southeast Asia Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Market Size by Type
10.4 Southeast Asia Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Market Size by Application
11. Middle East
11.1 Middle East Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Market Size
11.2 Middle East Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Key Players in North America
11.3 Middle East Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Market Size by Type
11.4 Middle East Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Market Size by Application
12. Africa
12.1 Africa Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Market Size
12.2 Africa Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Key Players in North America
12.3 Africa Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Market Size by Type
12.4 Africa Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Market Size by Application
13. Oceania
13.1 Oceania Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Market Size
13.2 Oceania Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Key Players in North America
13.3 Oceania Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Market Size by Type
13.4 Oceania Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Market Size by Application
14. South America
14.1 South America Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Market Size
14.2 South America Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Key Players in North America
14.3 South America Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Market Size by Type
14.4 South America Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Market Size by Application
15. Rest of the World
15.1 Rest of the World Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Market Size
15.2 Rest of the World Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Key Players in North America
15.3 Rest of the World Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Market Size by Type
15.4 Rest of the World Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Market Size by Application
16 Diacylglycerol O Acyltransferase 1 Market Dynamics
16.1 Covid-19 Impact Market Top Trends
16.2 Covid-19 Impact Market Drivers
16.3 Covid-19 Impact Market Challenges
16.4 Porter
Market Segmentation
The market is segmented based on specific clinical drug candidates (Types) and the therapeutic areas they target (Applications):
By Type (Clinical Candidates)
-
GSK-3008356: An advanced clinical candidate developed by GlaxoSmithKline. It is a potent and selective DGAT1 inhibitor designed to manage lipid levels and improve insulin sensitivity.
-
KR-69530: A specialized small-molecule inhibitor frequently associated with research into hepatic lipid metabolism and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD).
-
Others: Includes preclinical molecules, repurposed enzymatic inhibitors, and third-generation compounds currently in the discovery phase by emerging biotech firms.
By Application
-
Dyslipidemia: The primary application segment, focusing on the management of severe hypertriglyceridemia and rare genetic conditions like Familial Chylomicronemia Syndrome (FCS).
-
Metabolic Disorder: Targeting the global epidemics of Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity. DGAT1 inhibitors are being studied for their ability to enhance glucose metabolism and reduce adipose tissue accumulation.
-
Gastrointestinal: Exploring the enzyme’s role in gut hormone signaling and localized lipid processing within the intestinal mucosa.
Key Market Players
The competitive landscape features a mix of "Big Pharma" giants with deep metabolic portfolios and specialized biopharmaceutical companies focused on lipid science:
-
Amgen Inc.: Leverages its expertise in cardiovascular and metabolic health to explore DGAT1 inhibition as a complementary pathway to existing lipid-lowering therapies.
-
Novartis AG: A pioneer in the space (previously developing pradigastat), continuing to hold significant intellectual property and research data regarding enzymatic triglyceride synthesis.
-
Viking Therapeutics Inc.: A high-growth biotech player focused on novel therapies for metabolic and endocrine disorders, including NASH and lipid management.
-
Merck & Co., Inc.: Focuses on the integration of DGAT1 targets into broader metabolic syndrome research and combination therapy development.
-
Hanmi Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.: A South Korean leader in drug innovation, actively pursuing metabolic pipelines with global licensing potential.
-
Handok Inc.: A key player in the Asian market, collaborating on the clinical validation and regional distribution of metabolic enzymatic inhibitors.
