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Rachel V Thomas

Novo Nordisk Launches Awiqli In India: All About The World's First Once-Weekly Insulin

Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk has launched Awiqli (insulin icodec) in India, introducing the world's first once-weekly basal insulin for adults with <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/diabetes">diabetes</a>.

Individuals with Type 2 diabetes require daily insulin to manage their blood glucose when diet, exercise, and oral medications are no longer sufficient.

The daily basal insulin injections are typically taken once every 24 hours. But Awiqli is designed to provide background insulin support throughout the week, reducing the ‌number ⁠of injections from 365 per year to 52, Novo said.

More than 101 million people in India are living with diabetes, ⁠while another 136 million have prediabetes, Novo said in a statement.

Insulin initiation in India is delayed by an average of 7-9 years, partly due to fear of injections, anticipated pain, and cost concerns, it said.

"We believe Awiqli will reduce the psychological and physical barriers to insulin initiation," Novo Nordisk India Managing Director Vikrant Shrotriya said.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/can-ozempic-like-glp-1-drugs-slow-aging-boost-longevity-article-154821791" data-type="tilCustomLink">Can Ozempic-Like GLP-1 Drugs Slow Aging, Boost Longevity?</a>

Awiqli (insulin icodec) is a long-acting basal insulin designed to help adults with diabetes maintain stable blood sugar levels with just one injection every week. It is administered using the Awiqli FlexTouch pen on the same day each week.

The treatment is intended to simplify insulin therapy, potentially improving treatment adherence among people who struggle with daily injections.

Earlier this year, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Awiqli (insulin icodec-abae) 700 units/mL as the first and only once-weekly basal insulin for adults with type 2 diabetes. The therapy is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control.

The approval offers a new treatment option for patients seeking an alternative to daily basal insulin, allowing diabetes care to be tailored to different lifestyles and treatment preferences.

"Awiqli may address challenges associated with the frequency of daily basal injections by reducing them from seven to one per week. It is an important advancement for adults with type 2 diabetes who may benefit from an alternative treatment option," said Anna Windle, Group Vice President, Clinical Development, Medical &amp; Regulatory Affairs at Novo Nordisk Inc.  

Read More: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/cancer-kills-over-26000-daily-cases-to-hit-35-million-by-2050-says-who-report-article-155011381" data-type="tilCustomLink">Cancer Kills Over 26,000 Daily; Cases to Hit 35 Million by 2050, Says WHO Report</a>

The therapy has now been launched in India. Awiqli has also received regulatory approval in the US, the European Union, and 13 other countries, with indications varying according to local regulatory approvals.

The approval is supported by Novo Nordisk's ONWARDS Phase 3a clinical program, which enrolled nearly 2,680 adults with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes across four randomized, active-controlled trials.

The studies compared once-weekly Awiqli with daily basal insulin and demonstrated effective reductions in HbA1c, a key measure of long-term blood sugar control. The overall safety profile was found to be consistent with existing daily basal insulin therapies.

Awiqli is prescribed for adults with diabetes and should be used exactly as directed by a healthcare professional. 

Patients should inject the medicine once every week on the same day. The dosage should not be adjusted without medical advice, the company said.

Like other insulin therapies, Awiqli may cause side effects, including:

<ul><li>Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)</li><li>Injection-site reactions</li><li>Weight gain</li><li>Skin thickening or pitting at injection sites (lipodystrophy)</li><li>Allergic reactions</li><li>Swelling of the hands or feet</li></ul>

Patients are advised to monitor their blood sugar regularly and seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms of severe allergic reactions or persistent hypoglycemia.

<ul><li>are having an episode of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)</li><li>have an allergy to Awiqli or any of the ingredients in Awiqli. </li></ul>

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Awiqli

Once Weekly Insulin

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Type 2 diabetes

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Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk has launched Awiqli (insulin icodec) in India, introducing the world's first once-weekly basal insulin for adults with diabetes. Individuals with Type 2 diabetes require daily insulin to manage their blood glucose when diet, exercise, and oral medications are no longer sufficient. The daily basal insulin injections are typically taken once every 24 hours. But Awiqli is designed to provide background insulin support throughout the week, reducing the ‌number ⁠of injections from 365 per year to 52, Novo said.More than 101 million people in India are living with diabetes, ⁠while another 136 million have prediabetes, Novo said in a statement.Insulin initiation in India is delayed by an average of 7-9 years, partly due to fear of injections, anticipated pain, and cost concerns, it said."We believe Awiqli will reduce the psychological and physical barriers to insulin initiation," Novo Nordisk India Managing Director Vikrant Shrotriya said.Also read: Can Ozempic-Like GLP-1 Drugs Slow Aging, Boost Longevity?What is Awiqli?Awiqli (insulin icodec) is a long-acting basal insulin designed to help adults with diabetes maintain stable blood sugar levels with just one injection every week. It is administered using the Awiqli FlexTouch pen on the same day each week.The treatment is intended to simplify insulin therapy, potentially improving treatment adherence among people who struggle with daily injections.Global ApprovalEarlier this year, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Awiqli (insulin icodec-abae) 700 units/mL as the first and only once-weekly basal insulin for adults with type 2 diabetes. The therapy is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control.The approval offers a new treatment option for patients seeking an alternative to daily basal insulin, allowing diabetes care to be tailored to different lifestyles and treatment preferences."Awiqli may address challenges associated with the frequency of daily basal injections by reducing them from seven to one per week. It is an important advancement for adults with type 2 diabetes who may benefit from an alternative treatment option," said Anna Windle, Group Vice President, Clinical Development, Medical & Regulatory Affairs at Novo Nordisk Inc.  Where Is It Available?Read More: Cancer Kills Over 26,000 Daily; Cases to Hit 35 Million by 2050, Says WHO ReportThe therapy has now been launched in India. Awiqli has also received regulatory approval in the US, the European Union, and 13 other countries, with indications varying according to local regulatory approvals.Clinical EvidenceThe approval is supported by Novo Nordisk's ONWARDS Phase 3a clinical program, which enrolled nearly 2,680 adults with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes across four randomized, active-controlled trials.The studies compared once-weekly Awiqli with daily basal insulin and demonstrated effective reductions in HbA1c, a key measure of long-term blood sugar control. The overall safety profile was found to be consistent with existing daily basal insulin therapies.Who Can Use It?Awiqli is prescribed for adults with diabetes and should be used exactly as directed by a healthcare professional. Patients should inject the medicine once every week on the same day. The dosage should not be adjusted without medical advice, the company said.Are There Any Side EffectsLike other insulin therapies, Awiqli may cause side effects, including:Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)Injection-site reactionsWeight gainSkin thickening or pitting at injection sites (lipodystrophy)Allergic reactionsSwelling of the hands or feetPatients are advised to monitor their blood sugar regularly and seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms of severe allergic reactions or persistent hypoglycemia. Who should not take Awiqli?Do not take Awiqli if you:are having an episode of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)have an allergy to Awiqli or any of the ingredients in Awiqli. 

novo nordisk launches awiqli in india: all about the world's first once-weekly insulin

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Novo Nordisk Launches Awiqli In India: All About The World's First Once-Weekly Insulin

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