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Intramuscular Glucagon

Eli Lilly and Company · Phase 3 active Small molecule

Intramuscular Glucagon is a Glucagon receptor agonist Small molecule drug developed by Eli Lilly and Company. It is currently in Phase 3 development for Severe hypoglycemia in patients with diabetes. Also known as: GlucaGen HypoKit, GlucaGen®.

Glucagon binds to glucagon receptors on hepatic cells to stimulate glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis, rapidly raising blood glucose levels.

Glucagon binds to glucagon receptors on hepatic cells to stimulate glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis, rapidly raising blood glucose levels. Used for Severe hypoglycemia in patients with diabetes.

Likelihood of approval
61.3% vs 58.3% industry baseline
If approved by FDA: likely 2028–2030
Steps remaining: NDA/BLA submission
Confidence: High
Why this estimate
  • Baseline phase 3 → approval rate +58.3pp
    Industry-wide phase 3 drugs reach approval ~58.3% of the time (BIO/Informa 2023 industry benchmark across all therapeutic areas).
  • Big-pharma sponsor +3.0pp
    Eli Lilly and Company is a top-20 pharma sponsor — historical approval rates run ~3pp above average due to scale, regulatory experience, and trial-design quality.
Predicted approval windows by jurisdiction (conditional on FDA approval)
Regulator Country Likely year Lag vs FDA
FDA US 2028–2030
EMA EU 2029–2031 +0.7 yr
MHRA GB 2029–2031 +0.7 yr
Health Canada CA 2029–2032 +0.9 yr
TGA AU 2029–2032 +1.2 yr
PMDA JP 2029–2032 +1.5 yr
NMPA CN 2030–2033 +2.3 yr
MFDS KR 2029–2032 +1.4 yr
CDSCO IN 2029–2033 +1.8 yr
ANVISA BR 2030–2033 +2.3 yr

Hover any row for the lag rationale. Lag estimates are reduced when the drug has FDA Breakthrough or EMA PRIME designation (sponsors file globally in parallel).

Estimate based on the BIO/Informa industry phase transition rates plus per-drug modifiers for therapeutic area, sponsor type, FDA designations, mechanism, and trial design. Per-jurisdiction lags from Tufts CSDD international approval studies. Not investment, clinical or regulatory advice. Methodology: /methodology#likelihood.

At a glance

Generic nameIntramuscular Glucagon
Also known asGlucaGen HypoKit, GlucaGen®
SponsorEli Lilly and Company
Drug classGlucagon receptor agonist
TargetGCGR (glucagon receptor)
ModalitySmall molecule
Therapeutic areaEndocrinology / Diabetes
PhasePhase 3

Mechanism of action

Glucagon is a peptide hormone that activates glucagon receptors (GCGRs) on hepatocytes, triggering intracellular signaling cascades that promote the breakdown of stored glycogen and synthesis of new glucose. This mechanism is used acutely to reverse severe hypoglycemia by rapidly mobilizing endogenous glucose production. Intramuscular administration provides a non-intravenous route for emergency treatment when oral glucose is not feasible.

Approved indications

Common side effects

Key clinical trials

Primary sources

Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.

SourceUsed for
ClinicalTrials.govTrial enrolment, design, endpoints, results

Competitive intelligence

For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:

Frequently asked questions about Intramuscular Glucagon

What is Intramuscular Glucagon?

Intramuscular Glucagon is a Glucagon receptor agonist drug developed by Eli Lilly and Company, indicated for Severe hypoglycemia in patients with diabetes.

How does Intramuscular Glucagon work?

Glucagon binds to glucagon receptors on hepatic cells to stimulate glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis, rapidly raising blood glucose levels.

What is Intramuscular Glucagon used for?

Intramuscular Glucagon is indicated for Severe hypoglycemia in patients with diabetes.

Who makes Intramuscular Glucagon?

Intramuscular Glucagon is developed by Eli Lilly and Company (see full Eli Lilly and Company pipeline at /company/eli-lilly).

Is Intramuscular Glucagon also known as anything else?

Intramuscular Glucagon is also known as GlucaGen HypoKit, GlucaGen®.

What drug class is Intramuscular Glucagon in?

Intramuscular Glucagon belongs to the Glucagon receptor agonist class. See all Glucagon receptor agonist drugs at /class/glucagon-receptor-agonist.

What development phase is Intramuscular Glucagon in?

Intramuscular Glucagon is in Phase 3.

What are the side effects of Intramuscular Glucagon?

Common side effects of Intramuscular Glucagon include Nausea, Vomiting, Headache, Hyperglycemia, Injection site reactions.

What does Intramuscular Glucagon target?

Intramuscular Glucagon targets GCGR (glucagon receptor) and is a Glucagon receptor agonist.

Related

Primary sources · FDA · ClinicalTrials.gov · EMA · SEC EDGAR · ChEMBL · Wikidata · full sourcing