Lupin Expands Diabetes Portfolio with Gan & Lee’s Fortnightly GLP-1 Agonist

Lupin has taken a significant strategic step to strengthen its presence in the fast-growing diabetes and obesity treatment space by entering into an exclusive license, supply, and distribution agreement with China-based Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals. The partnership brings Bofanglutide, a novel fortnightly GLP-1 receptor agonist, to the Indian market, marking a key expansion of Lupin’s metabolic disease portfolio.

Bofanglutide: Enhancing Patient Convenience in GLP-1 Therapy

Bofanglutide is administered once every two weeks, offering a clear convenience advantage over existing weekly GLP-1 therapies. Clinical data suggest that the drug delivers comparable weight-loss efficacy while maintaining a similar safety and tolerability profile. The extended dosing interval has the potential to improve patient compliance, a critical factor in long-term chronic therapies such as diabetes and obesity management.

Under the agreement, Lupin will hold exclusive commercialisation rights for India, enabling the company to market and distribute Bofanglutide across the country independently.

A Massive Market Opportunity in India and Globally

India is facing a rapidly escalating metabolic health crisis. The country is home to approximately:

• 174 million overweight adults
• 50 million obese individuals
• 90 million people living with diabetes

This expanding patient base creates a substantial long-term opportunity for innovative metabolic therapies.

Globally, the GLP-1 receptor agonist market was valued at $53 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow at a 17% CAGR, reaching $157 billion by 2030. Growth is being driven by rising awareness, improved clinical outcomes, and increasing adoption of GLP-1 therapies in both diabetes and obesity treatment.

Notably, anti-obesity medications alone crossed $30 billion in global spending in 2024, representing more than a tenfold increase since 2020, highlighting the rapid re-rating of this therapeutic segment.

Strategic Implications for Lupin

For Lupin, the introduction of Bofanglutide positions the company early in one of the most significant pharmaceutical growth opportunities of the coming decade. GLP-1 therapies combine characteristics that are highly attractive for long-term value creation, including chronic usage, strong patient adherence, and meaningful pricing power.

While revenue contributions from Bofanglutide may take time to scale, the strategic importance lies in portfolio diversification, innovation-led growth, and enhanced long-term earnings visibility. The move underscores Lupin’s intent to evolve beyond traditional generics and build a more substantial footprint in high-growth speciality therapies.

Outlook

Lupin’s partnership with Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals reflects a forward-looking approach to capitalizing on the global shift toward metabolic and obesity-focused treatments. As adoption of GLP-1 therapies accelerates in India, Bofanglutide could play a pivotal role in reshaping Lupin’s diabetes franchise and supporting sustained long-term growth.