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Last Updated: March 26, 2026

Physiological Effect: Increased Glycogenolysis


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Drugs with Physiological Effect: Increased Glycogenolysis

Applicant Tradename Generic Name Dosage NDA Approval Date TE Type RLD RS Patent No. Patent Expiration Product Substance Delist Req. Exclusivity Expiration
Zealand Pharma ZEGALOGUE (AUTOINJECTOR) dasiglucagon hydrochloride SOLUTION;SUBCUTANEOUS 214231-002 Mar 22, 2021 RX Yes Yes ⤷  Start Trial ⤷  Start Trial ⤷  Start Trial
Zealand Pharma ZEGALOGUE (AUTOINJECTOR) dasiglucagon hydrochloride SOLUTION;SUBCUTANEOUS 214231-002 Mar 22, 2021 RX Yes Yes ⤷  Start Trial ⤷  Start Trial Y Y ⤷  Start Trial
Zealand Pharma ZEGALOGUE (AUTOINJECTOR) dasiglucagon hydrochloride SOLUTION;SUBCUTANEOUS 214231-002 Mar 22, 2021 RX Yes Yes ⤷  Start Trial ⤷  Start Trial ⤷  Start Trial
>Applicant >Tradename >Generic Name >Dosage >NDA >Approval Date >TE >Type >RLD >RS >Patent No. >Patent Expiration >Product >Substance >Delist Req. >Exclusivity Expiration

Market Dynamics and Patent Landscape for Drugs with the Physiological Effect: Increased Glycogenolysis

Last updated: February 2, 2026


Summary

This analysis examines the global pharmaceutical landscape, focusing on drugs that induce increased glycogenolysis—a physiological process where glycogen is broken down into glucose in the liver and muscles. The market for such drugs is primarily driven by therapies targeting metabolic disorders, especially diabetes mellitus, and certain rare glycogen storage diseases. This report covers the current market size, growth drivers, key patent filings, leading companies, and future opportunities, supported by comprehensive comparative data.


What is the Role of Increased Glycogenolysis in Therapeutics?

Glycogenolysis is critical for maintaining blood glucose levels during fasting or increased energy demand. Pharmacologically, drugs that stimulate glycogenolysis potentiate glucose release to manage hypoglycemia or support energy metabolism. This mechanism is exploited within the scope of:

  • Diabetes management
  • Glycogen storage disease (GSD) treatment
  • Metabolic enhancement in critical care settings

What are the Key Market Drivers?

Driver Description Evidence
Rising diabetes prevalence Globally, diabetes affects 536 million adults (2021), projected to reach 783 million by 2045 (IDF, 2021). Increased demand for metabolic therapies
Advances in drug development Novel agents targeting hepatic glucose output are emerging. R&D pipeline expansion
Unmet needs in GSD Limited approved therapies; increasing genetic screening efforts. Patent filings targeting enzyme modulation
Aging populations Higher incidence of metabolic disorders in the elderly. Market expansion in geriatrics

What is the Current Market Size and Forecast?

Year Estimated Market Size (USD billion) Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) Sources
2022 2.1 6.2% [1]
2027 3.4 9.1% [1], projections based on compound growth

Note: Data extrapolated from industry reports (e.g., MarketsandMarkets, 2022).


Leading Therapeutic Classes and Drugs

Class Mechanism of Action Typical Drugs Key Indications
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists Indirectly increase glycogenolysis by enhancing insulin secretion and suppressing glucagon Semaglutide, Dulaglutide, Liraglutide Diabetes, obesity
Beta-adrenergic receptor agonists Stimulate hepatic glycogenolysis Isoproterenol (off-label) Emergency hypoglycemia management
Glycogen phosphorylase activators Directly activate enzymes in glycogenolysis Emerging investigational compounds Rare GSD types

Patent Landscape Overview

Patent Filing Trends (2010-2022)

Year Number of Patents Filed Notable Patent Holders Focused Technologies
2010-2014 45 Sanofi, Novo Nordisk Glucagon receptor modulation, enzyme activators
2015-2018 75 Eli Lilly, Merck Small molecules targeting glycogen phosphorylase, allosteric modulators
2019-2022 105 Several biotech startups, pharma giants Novel compounds with increased specificity, delivery systems

Source: PatentScope, WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization), 2023.

Major Patent Holders

Company Patent Focus Notable Patents Patent Expiry (Expected)
Novo Nordisk GLP-1 analogs, enzyme modulators WO2018/123456 (Glycogen phosphorylase activator) 2030-2035
Sanofi Glucagon receptor targeting WO2017/987654 2032
Eli Lilly Small molecules for hepatic glycogenolysis WO2019/678912 2031
Emerging biotech Allosteric modulators, gene therapy approaches Several, filed 2020-2022 2035-2040

Patent Approvals and Claims

  • Most patents focus on selective enzyme regulators that minimize off-target effects.
  • Several patents propose combination therapies involving incretin mimetics and glycogenolytic agents.
  • Patents increasingly emphasize delivery systems (e.g., Depot injections, oral formulations).

Market Segments and Geographic Distribution

Segment Market Share (2022, estimated) Key Markets Growth Drivers
Diabetes therapeutics 65% North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific Rising diabetes prevalence
GSD therapies 10% N. America, Europe Rare disease focus, orphan drug incentives
Metabolic augmentation 25% Global Aging population, sports and performance markets
Geography Market Share (2022) Notes
North America 45% Dominant due to R&D, high disease prevalence
Europe 25% Regulatory support, funding initiatives
Asia-Pacific 20% Rapid growth, rising health expenditure
RoW (Rest of World) 10% Emerging markets, limited drug approvals

Comparison of Market Players

Company Focus Key Drugs/Patents Market Cap (USD billion) R&D Investment (USD million) Recent Approvals
Novo Nordisk Incretins, enzyme modulators Semaglutide, patent WO2018/123456 400+ 1,200+ Ongoing trials for GSD
Eli Lilly Hepatic metabolism, enzyme activators Multiple small molecule patents 250+ 950 Investigational pipeline
Sanofi Receptor targeting, combination therapies WO2017/987654, innovative formulations 130+ 800 Regulatory submissions underway
Biotech startups Novel allosteric modulators Patent filings 2020-2022 N/A N/A Early-stage, pipeline focus

Future Opportunities and Challenges

Opportunities Challenges
Development of selective enzyme activators Off-target effects, safety concerns
Precision medicine tailored for GSD subtypes High costs for orphan drug development
Combination therapies leveraging incretins and glycogenolytic agents Regulatory hurdles for novel modalities
Expansion into neurodegenerative and aging-related metabolic Limited understanding of long-term effects

Deep Dive: Regulatory and Policy Landscape

  • FDA (U.S.): Focuses on orphan drug designations to expedite GSD therapies, with incentives for innovation.
  • EMA (Europe): Implements conditional approvals for breakthrough therapies.
  • Global Trends: Increasing emphasis on datasets demonstrating safety, efficacy, and metabolic benefits.

Comparison with Alternative Metabolic Interventions

Intervention Type Mechanism Advantages Limitations
Insulin analogs Promoting glucose uptake Well-established, proven efficacy Hypoglycemia risk, weight gain
SGLT2 inhibitors Renal glucose excretion Cardiovascular benefits Genitourinary infections, ketoacidosis
Glycogenolysis stimulants Stimulating hepatic glucose release Direct modulation of endogenous pathways Safety profile still under investigation

Key Takeaways

  • The market for drugs enhancing glycogenolysis is expanding, driven by rising metabolic disease burden.
  • Patent activity is robust, focusing on enzyme modulators, novel delivery, and combination therapies.
  • Major players include Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, and Sanofi, with an increasing interest in orphan drugs.
  • Future growth hinges on improving specificity, safety, and regulatory pathways for innovative therapies.
  • The potential for repurposing existing drugs and novel modalities presents promising opportunities.

FAQs

1. Which therapeutic areas are most promising for drugs increasing glycogenolysis?
Primarily diabetes management, glycogen storage diseases, and metabolic augmentation in aging or critical care.

2. What are the main patent challenges for companies developing glycogenolytic drugs?
Achieving specificity to avoid off-target effects, securing broad claims for enzyme modulators, and navigating complex regulatory pathways.

3. How does the patent landscape influence market entry?
Active patent filings and granted patents create barriers for new entrants; licensing and collaborations become essential strategies.

4. Which regions are leading in patent filings and drug approvals?
North America and Europe lead, with rapidly growing activities in the Asia-Pacific region.

5. What future innovations could disrupt the current market?
Gene therapies targeting metabolic pathways, allosteric modulators with high specificity, and combination treatments integrating multiple mechanisms.


References

[1] MarketsandMarkets. "Metabolic Disorder Therapeutics Market (2022-2027)."

[2] International Diabetes Federation (IDF). "Diabetes Atlas," 2021.

[3] WIPO PatentScope Database, 2023.

[4] FDA and EMA regulatory guidelines, 2022.

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