Lupin signs exclusive China deal with Gan & Lee for diabetes-weight loss drug bofanglutide

Drug firm Lupin Ltd on Monday (December 29) said it has entered into an exclusive licence, supply, and distribution agreement with Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals, headquartered in China, for bofanglutide, a novel fortnightly GLP-1 receptor agonist.

The agreement is aimed at strengthening Lupin’s diabetes portfolio and expanding its presence in the obesity segment. Bofanglutide injection, developed by Gan & Lee, is designed for adults with type 2 diabetes and also assists in weight management for 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 every 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.

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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. 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.

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."

Gan & Lee Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer (EVP & CCO) Kai Du and Key Accounts Director, Dr Dhaval Soneji said, "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."

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Shares of Lupin Ltd ended at ₹2,082, down by ₹30.40, or 1.44%, on the BSE today, December 29.