Glucagon

ApprovedSmall molecule

Glucagon is used to treat severe low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in people with diabetes by quickly raising blood sugar levels back to normal. It's also used to help doctors see certain organs more clearly during imaging tests.[2] Glucagon is currently approved and in use across 15 indications[4].[1]

Glucagon is one of 332 small molecule programs targeting Insulin resistance. It is currently in Approved.

Indications

Total Trials

Active Trials

331

Competitors

FDA Applications

NDA/BLA/ANDA regulatory filings

Patents

Pipeline

Status by Indication[4][1]

Indication

Insulin ResistanceActive, not recruiting

Hepatic SteatosisActive, not recruiting

HyperinsulinismActive, not recruiting

Common ColdActive, not recruiting

Insulin SecretionActive, not recruiting

Type 2 Diabetes MellitusApproved

Diabetes MellitusActive, not recruiting

HypoglycemiaActive, not recruiting

Hyperinsulinemic HypoglycemiaActive, not recruiting

Type 2 DiabetesApproved

Insulin ResistancePhase 1

Active, not recruiting

Hepatic SteatosisPreclinical

Active, not recruiting

HyperinsulinismPhase 2

Active, not recruiting

Common ColdPhase 1

Active, not recruiting

Insulin SecretionPhase 1

Active, not recruiting

Type 2 Diabetes MellitusApproved

Approved

Diabetes MellitusPhase 3

Active, not recruiting

HypoglycemiaPhase 3

Active, not recruiting

Hyperinsulinemic HypoglycemiaPhase 2

Active, not recruiting

Type 2 DiabetesApproved

Approved

Showing 10 of 15 indications

Competition

Competitive Landscape

885 competitors in Type 2 Diabetes

#DrugCompanyPhaseTrials

Glucagon

XXeris Pharmaceuticals

Approved

1 2

Byetta

AstraZeneca

Preclinical

55 3

Jardiance

Boehringer Ingelheim

Preclinical

31 4

NOVOLIN R

Novo Nordisk

Preclinical

5 5

Inspra

PPfizer's Upjohn has merged with Mylan to form Viatris Inc.

Preclinical

2 6

Pravachol

KKaruna Therapeutics, Inc., a Bristol Myers Squibb company

Preclinical

1 7

Cecon

MMcGuff Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Preclinical

1 8

Forxiga

AstraZeneca

Preclinical

3 9

Lovaza

AstraZeneca

Preclinical

1 10

Sulfonylureas

Eli Lilly

Preclinical

Ranked by pipeline maturity and clinical activity. Current drug highlighted in teal.

Timeline

Expected Milestones

Q4 2027

N/AActive, not recruiting

Metabolism

NCT07366710

N/ANot yet recruiting

Humans

NCT06872060

Q2 2028

Phase 1Active, not recruiting

Hypoglycemia

NCT03241706

Q1 2029

Phase 1Not yet recruiting

Insulin Resistance

NCT06558422

Q4 2029

Phase 1/2Not yet recruiting

Liver

NCT07300982

Recruiting

Crohn's Disease

NCT06252493

Clinical

Trials by Indication[1]

Hypoglycemia14 trials

Liver Glycogen and Hypoglycemia in Humans

Active, not recruiting·JJason Winnick·Phase 1·NCT03241706·40 enrolled

To Evaluate the Response to Glucagon During Hypoglycemia

Completed· AstraZeneca logo

AstraZeneca·Phase 1·NCT00817271·8 enrolled

Safety and Efficacy of ZP-Glucagon to Injectable Glucagon for Hypoglycemia

Completed·ZZosano Pharma Corporation·Phase 1·NCT02459938·16 enrolled

Show 11 more trials

Clinical Usability of Nasal Glucagon in Treatment of Hypoglycemia in Children and Adolescents

Completed· Eli Lilly logo

Eli Lilly·Phase 3·NCT02402933·26 enrolled

Efficacy and Safety of Nasal Glucagon for Treatment of Hypoglycemia in Adults

Completed· Eli Lilly logo

Eli Lilly·Phase 3·NCT01994746·77 enrolled

Safety and Efficacy of a Novel Glucagon Formulation in Type 1 Diabetic Patients Following Insulin-induced Hypoglycemia

Completed· Eli Lilly logo

Eli Lilly·Phase 2·NCT01556594·18 enrolled

Clinical Usability of Intranasal Glucagon in Treatment of Hypoglycemia

Completed· Eli Lilly logo

Eli Lilly·Phase 3·NCT02171130·129 enrolled

Mini-Dose Glucagon to Treat Fasting-induced Hypoglycemia During Ramadan

Completed·QQassim University·N/A·NCT03970772·20 enrolled

Glucagon Ready-to-Use (RTU) for Prevention of Exercise-Induced Hypoglycemia During Aerobic Exercise in Adults With T1D

Completed·XXeris Pharmaceuticals·Phase 2·NCT03841526·48 enrolled

Efficacy of Glucagon In the Prevention of Hypoglycemia During Mild Exercise

Terminated·MMassachusetts General Hospital·N/A·NCT03217175·22 enrolled

Closed-Loop Glucagon Pump for Treatment of Post-Bariatric Hypoglycemia

Completed·JJoslin Diabetes Center·Phase 1/2·NCT03255629·18 enrolled

Glucagon in the Treatment of Hypoglycemia in Newborn Infants of Diabetic Mothers

Completed·SShaare Zedek Medical Center·Phase 2·NCT00434772

G-Pen™ for Hypoglycemia Rescue in T1D Patients

Completed·XXeris Pharmaceuticals·Phase 2·NCT02423980·7 enrolled

Glucagon Infusion in T1D Patients With Recurrent Severe Hypoglycemia: Effects on Counter-Regulatory Responses

Terminated·XXeris Pharmaceuticals·Phase 2·NCT03490942·49 enrolled

Type 1 Diabetes13 trials

Research Study in Japan to Compare Dasiglucagon With Glucagon in Treating Very Low Levels of Blood Sugar in Asian Adults With Type 1 Diabetes and Testing of Dasiglucagon for the Same Condition in Japanese Adolescents

Completed· Novo Nordisk logo

Novo Nordisk·Phase 1·NCT06588504·38 enrolled

Closed-loop Control of Postprandial Glucose Levels in Children and Adults With Type 1 Diabetes

Withdrawn·IInstitut de Recherches Cliniques de Montreal·Phase 2·NCT02490098

Efficacy of Small Subcutaneous Glucagon Dose to Treat Hypoglycemia in Adults With Type 1 Diabetes

Withdrawn·IInstitut de Recherches Cliniques de Montreal·Phase 2·NCT01828125

Show 10 more trials

Dual-Hormone Closed-Loop Glucose Control in Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes

Completed·SSteno Diabetes Center Copenhagen·Phase 4·NCT04949867·11 enrolled

A Study of Nasal Glucagon (LY900018) in Pediatric Participants With Type 1 Diabetes

Completed· Eli Lilly logo

Eli Lilly·Phase 1·NCT04992312·7 enrolled

Closed-loop Control of Postprandial Glucose Levels in Adults With Type 1 Diabetes

Completed·IInstitut de Recherches Cliniques de Montreal·Phase 2·NCT02416765·15 enrolled

Assessment of Intranasal Glucagon in Children and Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes

Completed· Eli Lilly logo

Eli Lilly·Phase 2/3·NCT01997411·48 enrolled

Metabolic Adaptation to High-frequent Hypoglycaemia in Type 1 Diabetes

Unknown status·NNordsjaellands Hospital·N/A·NCT05095259·60 enrolled

Dual-hormone Closed-loop Glucose Control in Type 1 Diabetes

Completed·SSteno Diabetes Center Copenhagen·Phase 4·NCT04053712·13 enrolled

Closed-loop Control of Glucose Levels (Artificial Pancreas) for 15 Weeks in Adolescents and Adults With Type 1 Diabetes

Withdrawn·IInstitut de Recherches Cliniques de Montreal·Phase 2·NCT02846857

A Trial to Investigate Hyperglycemic and Hypoglycemic Excursions in Subjects With Type 1 Diabetes

Completed·AAbvance Therapeutics·Phase 1·NCT04712266·15 enrolled

Treatment of Low Blood Sugar With Glucagon Among Patients With Type 1 Diabetes

Unknown status·HHvidovre University Hospital·Phase 4·NCT02232971·8 enrolled

Study of LY2409021 in Participants With Type 1 Diabetes

Completed· Eli Lilly logo

Eli Lilly·Phase 1·NCT01640834·20 enrolled

Metabolism4 trials

In Vivo Assessment of Cellular Metabolism in Humans

Completed·KK. Sreekumaran Nair·Phase 1·NCT02748369·17 enrolled

Effect of Physiologic Hyperglucogonemia on Adipocyte Metabolism

Completed·TThe University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·Phase 1·NCT04300049·10 enrolled

Glucagon Regulation of Glucose Metabolism

Completed·—·Phase 1·NCT04347252·19 enrolled

Show 1 more trial

Measuring Amino Acid and Glucose Metabolism in Healthy Volunteers and NAFLD Patients Using Total-body PET

Active, not recruiting·RRigshospitalet, Denmark·N/A·NCT07366710·36 enrolled

Liver3 trials

Sensor-Augmented Insulin Delivery: Insulin Plus Glucagon Versus Insulin Alone

Completed·LLegacy Health System·Phase 2·NCT00797823·14 enrolled

Studies of Insulin and Glucagon Action in the Liver

Not yet recruiting·—·Phase 1/2·NCT07300982·40 enrolled

Safety Study of Repeated Doses of Glucagon on Animal Starch in the Liver

Completed·LLegacy Health System·N/A·NCT01986231·12 enrolled

Closed-Loop2 trials

Safety of Overestimation of a Meal Insulin Bolus in the Context of Dual-hormone Closed-loop Operation

Completed·IInstitut de Recherches Cliniques de Montreal·Phase 2·NCT02626936·10 enrolled

Safety of Overestimation of a Meal Insulin Bolus in the Context of Dual-hormone Closed-loop Operation - Part 2

Completed·IInstitut de Recherches Cliniques de Montreal·Phase 2·NCT02798250·11 enrolled

35 more indications

Trial2 trials

Trial to Compare the Relative Pharmacodynamic Properties of Different Glucagon Dosages

Completed·PProfil Institut für Stoffwechselforschung GmbH·Phase 1·NCT01916265·6 enrolled

Feasibility Trial Testing the Bionic Pancreas With ZP4207

Completed· Zealand Pharma logo

Zealand Pharma·Phase 2·NCT02971228·13 enrolled

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus2 trials

A Study to Demonstrate Bioequivalence Between Insulin Glulisine U300 and Insulin Glulisine U100 After a Single Subcutaneous Dose Using the Euglycemic Clamp Technique, in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Completed· Sanofi logo

Sanofi·Phase 1·NCT02910518·44 enrolled

A Study of Nasal Glucagon in Participants With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Completed· Eli Lilly logo

Eli Lilly·Phase 1·NCT03339453·70 enrolled

Infusion2 trials

To Determine Tolerability to Glucagon Infusion in Obese Subjects

Active, not recruiting·—·Phase 1·NCT02817659·20 enrolled

Hepatic Metabolic Changes in Response to Glucagon Infusion

Completed·SSteno Diabetes Center Copenhagen·N/A·NCT03526445·27 enrolled

Diabetes2 trials

A Study of Single and Repeated Doses of Glucagon Administered to Participants With Diabetes

Terminated· Eli Lilly logo

Eli Lilly·Phase 1·NCT02806960·12 enrolled

A Study of Single or Repeated Doses of Glucagon in Participants With Diabetes

Completed· Eli Lilly logo

Eli Lilly·Phase 1·NCT02806973·32 enrolled

Diabetes Mellitus2 trials

A Study of Nasal Glucagon (LY900018) in Japanese Participants With Diabetes Mellitus

Completed· Eli Lilly logo

Eli Lilly·Phase 3·NCT03421379·75 enrolled

Glucagon Enhanced Insulin Absorption in Diabetes Mellitus Type 1

Terminated·SSt. Olavs Hospital·Phase 2·NCT05960565·9 enrolled

Pediatric1 trial

Glucose Response of G-Pen (Glucagon Injection) in Pediatric T1D Patients

Completed·XXeris Pharmaceuticals·Phase 3·NCT03091673·31 enrolled

Low Birth Weight1 trial

Gluconeogenesis in Very Low Birth Weight Infants Who Are Receiving Nutrition By Intravenous Infusion

Unknown status·NNational Center for Research Resources (NCRR)·N/A·NCT00005889·96 enrolled

Pancreatic1 trial

Pancreatic Clamp in NAFLD

Completed·—·Phase 1·NCT05724134·18 enrolled

Single Ascending Dose1 trial

Single Ascending Doses of ZP4207 Administered in HV and in T1D to Evaluate Safety, Tolerability PKs and PDs of ZP4207 Compared to a Comparator

Completed· Zealand Pharma logo

Zealand Pharma·Phase 1·NCT02367053·111 enrolled

Insulin Secretion1 trial

Effect of LY2189265 on Insulin Secretion in Response to Intravenous Glucose

Completed· Eli Lilly logo

Eli Lilly·Phase 1·NCT01300260·32 enrolled

Type 2 Diabetes1 trial

Hyperglucagonaemia in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes - Role of Glucagon Clearance

Completed·UUniversity Hospital, Gentofte, Copenhagen·N/A·NCT02475421·32 enrolled

In Vitro Fertilization1 trial

Effect of Glucagon on Uterine Contractility at the Time of Embryo Transfer in in Vitro Fertilization

Withdrawn·CClinique Ovo·Phase 4·NCT01674283

Hyperinsulinism1 trial

CSI-Glucagon for Prevention of Hypoglycemia in Children With Congenital Hyperinsulinism

Completed·XXeris Pharmaceuticals·Phase 2·NCT02937558·5 enrolled

Cardiovascular1 trial

Glucagon's Cardiovascular Effects With and Without Beta-blocker-induced Cardioinhibition

Completed·UUniversity Hospital Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg·Phase 4·NCT03533179·10 enrolled

Prolonged1 trial

Effect of Prolonged (72 Hour) Glucagon Administration on Energy Expenditure in Healthy Obese Subjects

Active, not recruiting·—·Phase 1·NCT03139305·30 enrolled

Humans1 trial

The Effects of Glucagon on Renal Regional Blood Flow in Humans Measured by Magnetic Resonance.

Not yet recruiting·—·N/A·NCT06872060·10 enrolled

Phase 11 trial

A Phase 1 Study to Evaluate the Safety and Tolerability of GSK1362885 in Healthy Normal Subjects

Completed· GSK logo

GSK·Phase 1·NCT00823940·42 enrolled

Acute1 trial

Acute Regulation of Intestinal and Hepatic Lipoprotein Production by Glucagon

Completed·UUniversity Health Network, Toronto·Phase 4·NCT01155206·9 enrolled

MPA1 trial

First Research Study to Compare a Possible New Medicine NNC9204-1513 to the Medicine Glucagon, in Healthy People.

Completed· Novo Nordisk logo

Novo Nordisk·Phase 1·NCT03444467·36 enrolled

Immunogenicity1 trial

Evaluate the Immunogenicity of a Novel Glucagon Formulation

Completed· Eli Lilly logo

Eli Lilly·Phase 3·NCT01959334·75 enrolled

Oral1 trial

Characterization of Metabolic and Brain Effects of Rising Glucagon During an Oral Glucose Challenge

Completed·UUniversity Hospital Tuebingen·N/A·NCT03061227·32 enrolled

ESS1 trial

ZP4207(Dasiglucagon) Administered to T1D Patients to Assess the PK and PD Compared to Marketed Glucagon

Completed· Zealand Pharma logo

Zealand Pharma·Phase 2·NCT02916251·38 enrolled

Common Cold1 trial

A Study of Nasal Glucagon in Participants With a Common Cold

Completed· Eli Lilly logo

Eli Lilly·Phase 1·NCT02778100·36 enrolled

GLP-11 trial

Haemodynamic Effects of GLP-1 and Glucagon in Healthy Male Volunteers

Completed·—·N/A·NCT03835013·26 enrolled

Kidney1 trial

The Role of the Kidneys and Liver in the Elimination of Glucagon

Completed·UUniversity Hospital, Gentofte, Copenhagen·N/A·NCT05056584·48 enrolled

Hyperinsulinemic Hypoglycemia1 trial

Glucagon Ready to Use (RTU) in Subjects With Hyperinsulinemic Hypoglycemia After Bariatric Surgery

Completed·XXeris Pharmaceuticals·Phase 2·NCT03770637·14 enrolled

Mitochondria1 trial

The Effect of Glucagon on Rates of Hepatic Mitochondrial Oxidation in Man Assessed by PINTA

Completed·YYale University·Phase 1·NCT03965130·10 enrolled

Crohn's Disease1 trial

Value of PET/MR Enterography in the Assessment of Crohn's Disease Using a Collagen-binding Radiotracer.

Recruiting·MMassachusetts General Hospital··NCT06252493·25 enrolled

Growth1 trial

Study of Glucagon, Ghrelin and Growth Hormone as Counterregulatory Hormones

Unknown status·UUniversity of Virginia·N/A·NCT01795235·6 enrolled

Intravenous Administration1 trial

A Study of MK-0893 on Glucagon-Induced Glycemic Excursion in Healthy Male Participants Following Intravenous Administration of Glucagon, Sandostatine® and Insulin (MK-0893-002)

Completed· Merck & Co. logo

Merck & Co.·Phase 1·NCT02012166·18 enrolled

Insulin resistance1 trial

Human Models of Selective Insulin Resistance: Pancreatic Clamp

Not yet recruiting·—·Phase 1·NCT06558422·36 enrolled

Dexamethasone1 trial

Dexamethasone/Pancreatic Clamp P&F

Withdrawn·—·Phase 1·NCT06126354

Adult1 trial

A Study of Glucagon Administered in Different Forms and Routes to Healthy Adults

Completed· Eli Lilly logo

Eli Lilly·Phase 1·NCT02778113·16 enrolled

Hepatic steatosis1 trial

The Effect of Lifestyle-induced Hepatic Steatosis on Glucagon-stimulated Amino Acid Turnover

Completed·—·N/A·NCT04859322·20 enrolled

Unspecified5 trials

Effects of Glucagon Administration on Energy Expenditure

Completed·—·Phase 1·NCT02237053·6 enrolled

Intranasal Glucagon and Energy Balance

Unknown status·UUniversity Health Network, Toronto·Phase 2/3·NCT03650582·20 enrolled

Physiologic Response to Glucagon at Varying Insulin Levels

Completed·LLegacy Health System·N/A·NCT01483651·11 enrolled

Show 2 more trials

Effect of Ethanol Intoxication on the Anti-Hypoglycemic Action of Glucagon

Completed·MMassachusetts General Hospital·Phase 4·NCT02516150·26 enrolled

Glucagon Use in Colonoscopies

Completed·UUniversity of California, San Francisco·Phase 4·NCT02078726·100 enrolled

Regulatory

FDA Approval Timeline[5]

Jan 1, 1982

GLUCAGON

NDA NDA012122

Jun 22, 1998

GLUCAGEN

NDA NDA020918

Sep 11, 1998

GLUCAGON

NDA NDA020928

May 8, 2015

GLUCAGON

NDA NDA201849

Jul 24, 2019

BAQSIMI

NDA NDA210134

Mar 14, 2025

GVOKE VIALDX

NDA NDA212097

Sources

References

[1]
ClinicalTrials.gov — 80 trial records for Glucagon. U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
[2]
MedlinePlus Drug Information — Glucagon drug information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
[3]
ChEMBL — Glucagon compound record. European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI).
[4]
Open Targets Platform — Drug–disease associations for Glucagon. EMBL-EBI & Wellcome Sanger Institute.
[5]
OpenFDA — FDA approval records (NDA NDA212097). U.S. Food & Drug Administration.
[6]
FDA Orange Book — Patent and exclusivity data for Glucagon. U.S. Food & Drug Administration.
[7]
SEC EDGAR — Xeris Pharmaceuticals company filings. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Details

Drug Info

Quick Facts

Mechanism of Action: Glucagon Receptor Agonist[3]
Modality: Small molecule[3]
Highest Phase: Approved[1]
Company: XXeris Pharmaceuticals

Patent Landscape[6]

Patent Cliff

Feb 16, 2036

Earliest patent expiration — generic entry possible after this date

Patent #Expires

10213487Feb 16, 2036

12370241Feb 16, 2036

9649364Apr 22, 2036

11590205Apr 22, 2036

10765602Sep 23, 2039

Glucagon

Status by Indication[4][1]

Competitive Landscape

Expected Milestones

Q4 2027

Q2 2028

Q1 2029

Q4 2029

Trials by Indication[1]

Hypoglycemia14 trials

Type 1 Diabetes13 trials

Metabolism4 trials

Liver3 trials

Closed-Loop2 trials

Trial2 trials

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus2 trials

Infusion2 trials

Diabetes2 trials

Diabetes Mellitus2 trials

Pediatric1 trial

Low Birth Weight1 trial

Pancreatic1 trial

Single Ascending Dose1 trial

Insulin Secretion1 trial

Type 2 Diabetes1 trial

In Vitro Fertilization1 trial

Hyperinsulinism1 trial

Cardiovascular1 trial

Prolonged1 trial

Humans1 trial

Phase 11 trial

Acute1 trial

MPA1 trial

Immunogenicity1 trial

Oral1 trial

ESS1 trial

Common Cold1 trial

GLP-11 trial

Kidney1 trial

Hyperinsulinemic Hypoglycemia1 trial

Mitochondria1 trial

Crohn's Disease1 trial

Growth1 trial

Intravenous Administration1 trial

Insulin resistance1 trial

Dexamethasone1 trial

Adult1 trial

Hepatic steatosis1 trial

Unspecified5 trials

FDA Approval Timeline[5]

References

Drug Info

Quick Facts

Patent Landscape[6]

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