Daewoong launches Botox rival Nabota in Qatar, completing Gulf rollout 

Daewoong Pharmaceutical has launched its botulinum toxin Nabota in Qatar, marking the first Korean-made product of its kind to enter the country and completing its rollout across three key Gulf markets.

According to a Thursday release, the company hosted a launch symposium last Friday at the St. Regis Doha, drawing about 200 local physicians and aesthetic specialists.

With Nabota now commercially available in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, Daewoong said it is sharpening its focus on the Middle East’s premium toxin market.

Daewoong showcased Nabota at a launch symposium at the St. Regis Doha in Qatar last Friday as it expands its Gulf presence. (Courtesy of Daewoong Pharmaceutical)

“This launch marks the addition of Qatar, one of the core Middle Eastern markets, as a strategic base,” Yun Jun-soo, head of Daewoong’s Nabota business division, said in the release. “We will continue to scale our business across the region, leveraging Nabota’s competitive quality and proprietary techniques like Nabolift.”

The move is Daewoong’s latest push to position Nabota as a premium aesthetic brand in oil-rich nations where interest in cosmetic procedures is growing rapidly. The company noted that Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, which include Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and three others, have high per capita incomes and strong demand for injectables.

With a per capita GDP of about $80,000 in 2024, Qatar has seen “rapid growth in demand for premium botulinum toxin products,” Daewoong said in the release. Alongside the UAE and Saudi Arabia, Qatar influences broader aesthetic trends in the Middle East and North Africa.

At the launch event, Koo Bon-cheol, a dermatologist specialist and director of Naeum Dermatology Clinic, introduced Nabolift, Daewoong’s proprietary injection method that uses micro-doses of botulinum toxin to lift skin, reduce wrinkles, and subtle facial contouring.

“Nabota is ideal for precision procedures like Nabolift, thanks to its rapid and accurate effect profile,” Koo said during his Friday presentation.

Daewoong said it plans to follow up with promotional campaigns in Qatar and the UAE focused on Nabolift and other differentiated procedures while deepening partnerships with local providers.