GCGR Market: Competitive Landscape, Pipeline, and Market Analysis 2023

GCGR agonists are drugs that activate the glucagon receptor in the body, mimicking the action of the hormone glucagon. They bind to and stimulate the glucagon receptor, leading to increased glucose production from the liver, breakdown of glycogen, and uptake of amino acids. This results in elevated blood glucose levels. GCGR agonists are primarily used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) when other medications have not provided adequate glycemic control. They help lower blood sugar levels, suppress insulin release, and reduce appetite.  This class of drugs is specifically designed to target the glucagon receptor, which is primarily found in the liver, kidney, and adipose tissue. GCGR agonists provide an additional treatment option for individuals with T2DM who require better management of their blood glucose levels. The growth drivers of the GCGR agonist stimulator market include the increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, which drives the demand for more effective and targeted antidiabetic medications, as well as the potential for GCGR agonists to offer improved glycemic control, reduced risk of hypoglycemia, and weight loss benefits compared to other antidiabetic drugs. Additionally, ongoing research and development efforts focused on optimizing GCGR agonist therapy and expanding its applications may further contribute to market growth. Companies such as Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, OPKO Health, Hanmi, Merck (MSD), Takeda, AstraZeneca, Sanofi, Xeris Biopharma, Zealand Pharma, Adocia, Altimmune, Boehringer Ingelheim curently cater in this category. Moreover, many companies are coming up with new molecules in this space. For instance, Eli Lilly is one such company that is currently conducting a clinical trial of the drug Mazdutide for the treatment of diabetes type II.

Key Developments

• In May 2023, Zealand Pharma announced its intention to submit MAA to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for hypoglycemia in the second half of 2023.
• In March 2023, Zealand Pharma announced its intention to submit NDA to the US FDA for Congenital hyperinsulinism (In infants, In neonates) in the first half of 2023.
• In July 2019, Eli Lilly’s Baqsimi nasal powder, the first glucagon therapy got approved for the emergency treatment of severe hypoglycemia that can be administered without an injection

Approved GCGR Agonist Molecules

• Glucagen (Recombinant Glucagon)
• Baqsimi (Glucagon Intranasal Dry Powder)
• Recombinant Glucagon

GCGR Agonist Pipeline Molecules

• Cotadutide (MEDI0382)
• Zegalogue (dasiglucagon)
• Mazdutide (LY3305677)
• BI 456906
• Efinopegdutide (HM12525A)
• Retatrutide (LY3437943)
• Gvoke HypoPen (glucagon auto-injectable rescue pen)
• Bamadutide (SAR425899)
• Dexamethasone Povidone Iodine Ophthalmic (TAK-640)
• Pemvidutide (ALT-801)
• Eohilia (budesonide oral)
• G-Pen Mini (glucagon auto-injectable rescue pen)
• G530L
• MK-8521
• NN9277
• Efocipegtrutide (HM15211)
• Pegapamodutide (OPK88003)
• BioChaperone Human Glucagon (recombinant human glucagon)
• LY3185643
• NN9423
• SAR438544
• AZD9550
• DD01
• DR10624
• LY3143753
• PB-718
• PEGylated oxyntomodulin long acting (MOD-6031)
• SHR-1816
• TB001
• Glucagon Transdermal Patch (ZP-Glucagon)
• Lyophilized glucagon (BIOD-961)
• Oxyntomodulin LA (MOD-6030)

Clinical Activity and Development of GCGR Agonist

 In the GCGR agonist space, more than 15 companies are conducting more than 30 clinical trials in this category of drugs. For instance,

• In May 2023, Med Immune presented results assessing the pharmacokinetics, safety and immunogenicity of a single dose of Cotadutide in individuals with varying degrees of renal impairment, published in the clinical pharmacokinetics.
• In March 2023, Beta Bionics and Zealand Pharma plan a phase III pivotal trial of iLet dual-hormone bionic pancreas system with dasiglucagon for Type 1 diabetes mellitus in 2023