Lupin has entered into an exclusive licence, supply and distribution agreement with Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals, headquartered in China, for a novel fortnightly GLP-1 receptor agonist, Bofanglutide.

The agreement strengthens Lupin’s diabetes portfolio and accelerates its presence in the obesity segment. Bofanglutide injection is a fortnightly (once in two weeks) GLP-1 receptor agonist developed by Gan & Lee, intended for treating adults with type II diabetes and aiding weight management in overweight or obese individuals.

As a potential first-in-class global fortnightly GLP-1 agonist, clinical data demonstrate that the weight loss results of Bofanglutide are comparable to, or better than those of existing GLP-1 alternatives while offering the convenience of once in two weeks versus once a week for other injectable alternatives, and maintaining safety and tolerability consistent with the GLP-1 class. It effectively reduces both blood glucose levels and body weight.

Speaking in this regard, Nilesh Gupta, Managing Director, Lupin, said, “We are committed to offering the best solutions for managing chronic metabolic diseases like diabetes, and addressing obesity is one of the most urgent global health challenges. This partnership demonstrates our strategic focus on the GLP-1 class of drugs and highlights our dedication to delivering high-quality, innovative therapies for our patients.”

Obesity is anticipated to develop into a significant health crisis in India, with approximately 174 million adults classified as overweight and around 50 million as obese.

Rajeev Sibal, President – India Region Formulations, Lupin, said, “Bofanglutide offers a significant advantage with its convenient fortnightly dosing, thus reducing the number of injections by 50 percent while delivering outcomes and clinically proven efficacy that matches or surpasses existing weekly formulations. This strategic alliance marks a pivotal step in strengthening Lupin’s leadership in metabolic health, expanding our innovative portfolio, and reaffirming our commitment to delivering transformative solutions.”

Diabetes is already considered an epidemic, with approximately 90 million adults affected by the condition. Under the terms of the agreement, Lupin will have exclusive rights to commercialise and distribute Bofanglutide in India.

Kai Du, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer (EVP and CCO), Gan & Lee, and Dr Dhaval Soneji, Key Accounts Director, Gan & Lee, commented, “On the heels of the Latin American exclusive agreement signed in November, this new partnership with Lupin for the Indian market further underscores Gan & Lee’s rapid global strategic advancement. Our goal is to provide superior treatment options for patients with metabolic diseases worldwide, while showcasing the value of Chinese biopharmaceutical innovation on the global stage.”