Gan & Lee Collaborates with Menarini Group to Advance Bofanglutide in Europe
On September 3, 2026, Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals, a prominent player in innovative biopharmaceuticals, announced a significant partnership with Menarini Group, a multinational bio-pharmaceutical company. This strategic collaboration centers on the exclusive licensing of Bofanglutide (development code GZR18), a GLP-1 receptor agonist currently under development for treating adults with obesity or overweight conditions. Bofanglutide boasts a unique treatment regimen, as it can be administered bi-weekly, a feature that positions it favorably against other GLP-1 drugs typically requiring weekly doses.
The agreement between Gan & Lee and Menarini encompasses a substantial initial payment of €62 million, with potential further payments escalating to a total of €664 million, alongside double-digit royalties based on net sales in the licensed territories. This brings the total potential value of the deal to a remarkable €726 million, excluding royalties. Menarini will manage the registration application and commercial launch across various regions, including 39 countries within the European Union, the UK, Switzerland, and others across the Balkans.
This collaboration marks a pivotal moment in Menarini's strategy to broaden its footprint in the metabolism sector, particularly as more patients in need of effective solutions emerge globally. Bofanglutide presents a promising option, especially due to its reduced administration frequency, which could enhance patient compliance and overall treatment success.
Clinical trials have yielded positive results, with both Phase III studies in China and Phase II trials in the United States achieving their primary goals. The primary focus of these studies was weight management in obese and overweight adults, establishing Bofanglutide's efficacy and a tolerability profile comparable to existing GLP-1 treatments.
Dr. Wei Chen, the CEO of Gan & Lee, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, "This collaboration serves as a critical pathway for Bofanglutide's entry into the European market and signifies a monumental shift for Gan & Lee—transitioning from an insulin leader to a global innovator in metabolic diseases. By merging Gan & Lee's expertise in clinical development and production with Menarini's strengths in regulatory strategy and commercial execution, we aim to provide alternative treatments for millions suffering from obesity and overweight conditions in these regions."
Elcin Barker Ergun, CEO of Menarini Group, echoed this sentiment by highlighting the promising weight loss outcomes and metabolic benefits observed in ongoing studies. The bi-weekly dosing regimen presents a unique selling proposition that can potentially distinguish Bofanglutide from its competitors.
As part of their future roadmap, Gan & Lee is committed to advancing a global Phase III clinical development program for Bofanglutide to support its registration in Europe and other highly regulated markets. The company aims to expand its global presence through innovative research and development, ensuring the delivery of high-quality products to patients in need.
In summary, the agreement signifies a breakthrough milestone for both Gan & Lee and Menarini Group. For Gan & Lee, it extends the geographical reach of its innovative product portfolio, strengthening its foothold in strictly regulated markets. For Menarini, this partnership is a vital step in furthering its mission to expand into the metabolism sector, accelerating its trajectory towards innovation in primary and specialized care. This licensing agreement is yet another crucial milestone in Gan & Lee's ongoing global strategy. Leveraging Menarini's extensive market knowledge and established business network positions Bofanglutide favorably for advancement in Europe, thus enhancing patient access to this differentiated therapy.
Bofanglutide is an experimental long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist independently developed by Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals. Currently undergoing clinical development, it presents a bi-weekly administration schedule for weight regulation in adults suffering from obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic disorders. Its safety and effectiveness remain under investigation and have not yet received approval from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or other health authorities, thus it is not available for commercial distribution.
Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company at the forefront of innovative drug development that pioneered industrial-scale production of recombinant insulin analogs in China. Committed to addressing diabetes and obesity therapeutically, the company is expanding its R&D portfolio to advance innovative chemical and biologic therapies targeting metabolic, cardiovascular, and immunological diseases. For more information, visit www.ganlee.com.
Headquartered in Florence, Menarini Group operates in 140 countries worldwide, reporting a consolidated revenue of €4.88 billion and employing over 17,000 people. Menarini's products span critical therapeutic areas, including cardiometabolic medicine, oncology, gastroenterology, diabetes, and inflammation, constantly striving to improve patient health through its commitment to high-quality R&D and manufacturing. Learn more at www.menarini.com.
The agreement between Gan & Lee and Menarini encompasses a substantial initial payment of €62 million, with potential further payments escalating to a total of €664 million, alongside double-digit royalties based on net sales in the licensed territories. This brings the total potential value of the deal to a remarkable €726 million, excluding royalties. Menarini will manage the registration application and commercial launch across various regions, including 39 countries within the European Union, the UK, Switzerland, and others across the Balkans.
This collaboration marks a pivotal moment in Menarini's strategy to broaden its footprint in the metabolism sector, particularly as more patients in need of effective solutions emerge globally. Bofanglutide presents a promising option, especially due to its reduced administration frequency, which could enhance patient compliance and overall treatment success.
Clinical trials have yielded positive results, with both Phase III studies in China and Phase II trials in the United States achieving their primary goals. The primary focus of these studies was weight management in obese and overweight adults, establishing Bofanglutide's efficacy and a tolerability profile comparable to existing GLP-1 treatments.
Dr. Wei Chen, the CEO of Gan & Lee, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, "This collaboration serves as a critical pathway for Bofanglutide's entry into the European market and signifies a monumental shift for Gan & Lee—transitioning from an insulin leader to a global innovator in metabolic diseases. By merging Gan & Lee's expertise in clinical development and production with Menarini's strengths in regulatory strategy and commercial execution, we aim to provide alternative treatments for millions suffering from obesity and overweight conditions in these regions."
Elcin Barker Ergun, CEO of Menarini Group, echoed this sentiment by highlighting the promising weight loss outcomes and metabolic benefits observed in ongoing studies. The bi-weekly dosing regimen presents a unique selling proposition that can potentially distinguish Bofanglutide from its competitors.
As part of their future roadmap, Gan & Lee is committed to advancing a global Phase III clinical development program for Bofanglutide to support its registration in Europe and other highly regulated markets. The company aims to expand its global presence through innovative research and development, ensuring the delivery of high-quality products to patients in need.
In summary, the agreement signifies a breakthrough milestone for both Gan & Lee and Menarini Group. For Gan & Lee, it extends the geographical reach of its innovative product portfolio, strengthening its foothold in strictly regulated markets. For Menarini, this partnership is a vital step in furthering its mission to expand into the metabolism sector, accelerating its trajectory towards innovation in primary and specialized care. This licensing agreement is yet another crucial milestone in Gan & Lee's ongoing global strategy. Leveraging Menarini's extensive market knowledge and established business network positions Bofanglutide favorably for advancement in Europe, thus enhancing patient access to this differentiated therapy.
About Bofanglutide
Bofanglutide is an experimental long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist independently developed by Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals. Currently undergoing clinical development, it presents a bi-weekly administration schedule for weight regulation in adults suffering from obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic disorders. Its safety and effectiveness remain under investigation and have not yet received approval from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or other health authorities, thus it is not available for commercial distribution.
About Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals
Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company at the forefront of innovative drug development that pioneered industrial-scale production of recombinant insulin analogs in China. Committed to addressing diabetes and obesity therapeutically, the company is expanding its R&D portfolio to advance innovative chemical and biologic therapies targeting metabolic, cardiovascular, and immunological diseases. For more information, visit www.ganlee.com.
About Menarini Group
Headquartered in Florence, Menarini Group operates in 140 countries worldwide, reporting a consolidated revenue of €4.88 billion and employing over 17,000 people. Menarini's products span critical therapeutic areas, including cardiometabolic medicine, oncology, gastroenterology, diabetes, and inflammation, constantly striving to improve patient health through its commitment to high-quality R&D and manufacturing. Learn more at www.menarini.com.
Topics Health）
【About Using Articles】
You can freely use the title and article content by linking to the page where the article is posted.
※ Images cannot be used.
【About Links】
Links are free to use.