In patients with T2DM, the drug is orally effective with once daily dose and when used alone or in combination with metformin, showed improved efficacy over time (may be due to GLP-1-induced increase in beta-cell number and mass) without weight gain and hypoglycemia which are common side effects of insulin and other oral hypoglycemic agents. The gene discussed is GCG; the disease is type 2 diabetes mellitus.