Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals Licenses Three Insulin Products to Global Pharma Giant Sandoz, Pioneering a New Model for Overseas Commercial Collaboration
Gan&Lee Pharmaceuticals
Biological Synthetic Human Insulin Pharmaceutical R&D Manufacturer
More than 400 million people worldwide are living with diabetes; from 2018 to 2030, the demand for insulin products required to treat type 2 diabetes alone is projected to increase by more than 20%.1,2
Under the agreement, Gan&Lee will launch operations in core regulated diabetes markets, a move that can reduce healthcare system expenditures in these markets.
VCBeat (WeChat: vcbeat) has learned that Gan&Lee Pharmaceuticals (“Gan&Lee”), a high-tech biopharmaceutical company with a 20-year history that integrates R&D, development, production, and sales of biosynthetic human insulin and its analogs, signed a licensing agreement with Sandoz, a global leader in the field of biosimilars, today (December 19, 2018). The agreement grants Sandoz the right to commercialize Gan&Lee’s insulin products (indicated for type 1 and type 2 diabetes) in the licensed territories.
Data indicates that when the pancreas fails to produce sufficient insulin—a hormone that regulates blood glucose levels—it leads to a serious chronic condition known as diabetes. It is estimated that over 400 million adults worldwide are living with diabetes, and this figure is projected to rise. Patients with diabetes face risks of blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, stroke, and lower-limb amputation, as well as other complications such as cardiovascular disease.1,3. According to 2015 available statistics, global sales of diabetes treatments reached $673 billion, accounting for approximately 12% of total global healthcare expenditure.4。
VCBeat has learned that Gan&Lee Pharmaceuticals has broken the monopoly of foreign companies in China’s insulin market. Unlike previous instances where Chinese enterprises expanded globally through product sales, technology acquisition, or mergers and acquisitions, Gan&Lee has entered overseas markets by leveraging its proprietary technologies. From another perspective, this move also signifies recognition by European and American markets of the original innovation capabilities and R&D strength of Chinese biopharmaceutical companies.
It is understood that Gan&Lee Pharmaceuticals had already met European and American standards in terms of technical proficiency and product quality well before this development. Moving forward, Gan&Lee will strictly adhere to European and American GMP standards in the construction of its insulin production facilities. Reportedly, the current agreement covers the United States, Europe, and other core regulated markets. Furthermore, this strategic partnership holds milestone significance for Gan&Lee’s global commercial layout.
“We are delighted to reach this comprehensive strategic agreement with Sandoz,” said Du Kai, Deputy General Manager (Overseas Business Development) of Gan&Lee Pharmaceuticals. “Through this collaboration, Sandoz gains access to R&D achievements from a leading Chinese biopharmaceutical company, while we have the opportunity to join hands with a global industry leader to reduce R&D costs, lower healthcare expenditures in target markets, and provide patients with greater medical choices.”
About Gan&Lee
Gan&Lee Pharmaceuticals is a high-tech biopharmaceutical enterprise integrating research and development, manufacturing, and sales. The company holds a leading position in China’s diabetes market in the research, development, production, and sales of biosynthetic human insulin and its analogs. Leveraging its technological and cost advantages, Gan&Lee has rapidly expanded into the global market, with overseas operations now extending to approximately 20 countries and regions. Notably, its glargine insulin officially initiated Phase III clinical trials in the United States in 2017. Committed to providing high-quality and affordable products and services, Gan&Lee aims to benefit patients with diabetes worldwide.
References:
1. World Health Organization. Diabetes: Key Facts. Available at: http://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes. Accessed 3 December 2018.
2. Basu, S et al. Estimation of global insulin use for type 2 diabetes, 2018-30: a microsimulation. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2018 Nov; Available at: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(18)30303-6/fulltext. Accessed 3 December 2018.
3. IDF International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 8th edn. Brussels, 2017. http://diabetesatlas.org/resources/2017-atlas.html Accessed 3 December 2018.
4. Ogurtsova, K et al. IDF Diabetes Atlas: Global estimates for the prevalence of diabetes for 2015 and 2040. Available at https://www.diabetesresearchclinicalpractice.com/article/S0168-8227(17)30375-3/fulltext. Accessed 11 December 2018.