Albiglutide - Biologic Drug Details

Summary for albiglutide

Tradenames:	1
High Confidence Patents:	0
Applicants:	1
BLAs:	1
Recent Clinical Trials:	See clinical trials for albiglutide

Recent Clinical Trials for albiglutide

Identify potential brand extensions & biosimilar entrants

Sponsor	Phase
National University of Singapore	PHASE2
Medanta, The Medicity, India	N/A
Wake Forrest Baptist Health	Phase 4

See all albiglutide clinical trials

Note on Biologic Patents

Matching patents to biologic drugs is far more complicated than for small-molecule drugs.

DrugPatentWatch employs three methods to identify biologic patents:

1. Brand-side disclosures in response to biosimilar applications

These patents were identified from disclosures by the brand-side company, in response to a potential biosimilar seeking to launch. They have a high certainty of blocking biosimilar entry. The expiration dates listed are not estimates — they're expiration dates as indicated by the brand-side company.

2. DrugPatentWatch analysis and brand-side disclosures

These patents were identified from searching drug labels and other general disclosures from the brand-side company. This list may exclude some of the patents which block biosimilar launch, and some of these patents listed may not actually block biosimilar launch. The expiration dates listed for these patents are estimates, based on the grant date of the patent.

3. Patents from broad patent text search

For completeness, these patents were identified by searching the patent literature for mentions of the branded or ingredient name of the drug. Some of these patents protect the original drug, whereas others may protect follow-on inventions or even inventions casually mentioning the drug. The expiration dates listed for these patents are estimates, based on the grant date of the patent.

1) High Certainty: US Patents for albiglutide Derived from Brand-Side Litigation

No patents found based on brand-side litigation

2) High Certainty: US Patents for albiglutide Derived from DrugPatentWatch Analysis and Company Disclosures

These patents were obtained from company disclosures

Applicant	Tradename	Biologic Ingredient	Dosage Form	BLA	Patent No.	Estimated Patent Expiration	Source
Glaxosmithkline Llc	TANZEUM	albiglutide	For Injection	125431			DrugPatentWatch analysis and company disclosures
Glaxosmithkline Llc	TANZEUM	albiglutide	For Injection	125431		2025-01-31	DrugPatentWatch analysis and company disclosures
Glaxosmithkline Llc	TANZEUM	albiglutide	For Injection	125431		2028-02-05	DrugPatentWatch analysis and company disclosures

3) Low Certainty: US Patents for albiglutide Derived from Patent Text Search

These patents were obtained by searching patent claims

Applicant	Tradename	Biologic Ingredient	Dosage Form	BLA	Patent No.	Estimated Patent Expiration	Source
Glaxosmithkline Llc	TANZEUM	albiglutide	For Injection	125431		2037-02-09	Patent claims search
Glaxosmithkline Llc	TANZEUM	albiglutide	For Injection	125431		2036-10-31	Patent claims search
Glaxosmithkline Llc	TANZEUM	albiglutide	For Injection	125431		2037-08-11	Patent claims search

International Patents for albiglutide

Country	Patent Number	Estimated Expiration
Mexico	2018012512
South Africa	200304341
South Korea	20200123283

Supplementary Protection Certificates for albiglutide

Supplementary Protection Certificate	SPC Country	SPC Expiration	SPC Description
1490056-7	Sweden		PRODUCT NAME: ALBIGLUTIDE; REG. NO/DATE: EU/1/13/908/001002 20140321
132014902293932	Italy		PRODUCT NAME: ALBIGLUTIDE(EPERZAN); AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S) AND DATE(S): EU/1/13/908, 20140321
300691	Netherlands		PRODUCT NAME: ALBIGLUTIDE; REGISTRATION NO/DATE: EU/1/13/908 20140326

Albiglutide Market Analysis and Financial Projection

Last updated: February 15, 2026

What Are the Market Dynamics for Albiglutide?

Albiglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist developed by GlaxoSmithKline, was approved by the FDA in April 2014 for type 2 diabetes management. However, its market presence was limited by competitive dynamics that shifted toward other GLP-1 products.

Market Landscape and Competition

The global type 2 diabetes market is expanding rapidly, driven by increasing prevalence and advanced drug formulations. Similar drugs include:

• Dulaglutide (Trulicity): Approved in 2014, capturing significant market share with weekly dosing.
• Liraglutide (Victoza): Approved in 2010, with strong brand recognition and additional cardiovascular benefits.
• Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy): Approved in 2017, with once-weekly dosing and proven efficacy.

Albiglutide faced stiff competition from these drugs due to several factors:

• Dosing Convenience: Albiglutide was administered weekly but had less flexible dosing options.
• Efficacy and Safety Data: Emerging data favored competitors with superior glycemic control and cardiovascular risk reduction.
• Market Penetration: GSK's marketing efforts were limited relative to competitors.

Decline in Market Share and Product Discontinuation

GSK discontinued albiglutide in early 2018, citing commercial reasons, chiefly the limited market uptake. The drug's sales peaked at approximately £19 million (roughly $25 million) in 2017. Its decline reflected:

• The dominance of semaglutide and dulaglutide.
• The shift toward drugs with additional benefits, such as weight loss.
• Limited differentiation of albiglutide from existing therapies.

What Is the Financial Trajectory for Albiglutide?

Revenue and Sales Performance

• Peak sales: Around $25 million (2017).
• Post-discontinuation: Sales ceased effectively by late 2018.

Cost and Investment

• Development costs: Estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars over clinical trials and regulatory processes.
• Marketing expenses: Significant for entry, but limited in later stages due to market exit.
• Discontinuation costs: GSK wrote down remaining inventory and ceased further investment.

Impact on GlaxoSmithKline

The exit from albiglutide reduced R&D expenditure related to the drug by an estimated $50 million annually. It freed resources for other pipeline priorities, including pipeline GLP-1 or SGLT2 inhibitors.

Broader Market Impact

The market demonstrated minimal financial dependency on albiglutide. Despite initial hopes, the drug's revenue contribution remained marginal compared to more successful GLP-1 franchises.

How Does Albiglutide's Trajectory Compare to Similar Biologics?

Drug	Approval Year	Peak Sales (2017)	Discontinuation Year	Market Share in GLP-1 Class	Dosing Frequency
Albiglutide	2014	$25 million	2018	Less than 2%	Weekly
Dulaglutide	2014	Over $1 billion	Active	Approx. 15-20% of GLP-1 market, dominant	Weekly
Liraglutide	2010	Around $1.3 billion	Active	Approximately 10-15% of the GLP-1 market	Daily
Semaglutide	2017	Over $2 billion	Active	Leading GLP-1, rapidly growing, weight loss	Weekly

What Are Future Considerations for Biologic GLP-1 Therapies?

The decline of albiglutide emphasizes the importance of:

• Differentiation in efficacy and safety.
• Flexibility in administration and dosing.
• Additional benefits like weight management or cardiovascular protection.
• Market development driven by clinical data and patient adherence strategies.

Key Takeaways

• Albiglutide was approved in 2014, with a peak at about $25 million in sales.
• It faced stiff competition from semaglutide, dulaglutide, and liraglutide.
• GSK discontinued albiglutide in 2018 due to poor market performance.
• The drug's financial impact on GSK was limited, prompting resource reallocation.
• Success in the GLP-1 class depends on efficacy, safety, dosing convenience, and added benefits.

FAQs

1. Why did GSK discontinue albiglutide?
Because of limited market penetration, competitive pressures from more effective or more popular GLP-1 receptor agonists, and a strategic decision to reallocate resources.

2. How does albiglutide compare efficacy-wise to other GLP-1 drugs?
Clinical trials suggested comparable glycemic control, but newer agents offered superior cardiovascular benefits and weight management, making them more attractive for broader treatment strategies.

3. Can albiglutide be used now for type 2 diabetes?
No, GSK discontinued it from the market; it is no longer available commercially.

4. What lessons does albiglutide’s market journey offer for biologic drug development?
Differentiation and market positioning are critical, particularly in crowded therapeutic classes. Early demonstration of added benefits can influence long-term success.

5. Are there ongoing research efforts based on albiglutide’s mechanism?
Limited, as most R&D efforts focus on newer GLP-1 receptor agonists with proven efficacy and additional cardiovascular or weight-loss benefits.

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Sources:
[1] GlaxoSmithKline Annual Report 2017
[2] U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Albiglutide Approval Records
[3] EvaluatePharma Database
[4] IQVIA Drug Market Data 2018