Chinese firm Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals has announced that the first subject has been dosed in our Phase I, double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled, sequential, single, ascending dose clinical study in the U.S. for the company's investigational drug, GZR18. GZR18 is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) with potential to treat patients with type 2 diabetes.

Currently, type 2 diabetes mellitus accounts for approximately 90% of all diabetes cases while a 46% increase in the number of people with diabetes is expected by 2045, globally. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone responsible for many glucoregulatory effects such as the stimulation of insulin secretion and the inhibition of glucagon when blood glucose is high. Many of these glucoregulatory effects are often impaired in patients with type 2 diabetes.

The primary objective of this Phase 1 study is to investigate the safety and tolerability of GZR18 in healthy volunteers. In addition, the secondary objective is to determine the pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of GZR18. "The start of this Phase 1 clinical trial of GZR18 at a U.S. site, is a significant milestone for our global clinical development program. This trial demonstrates Gan & Lee's long-term commitment to strengthening our pipeline in diabetes and other therapeutic areas to benefit the patient and medical community" said Dr. Mike Hu, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & President of Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals USA Corporation.