Novo Nordisk Launches Once-Weekly Insulin Awiqli in India for Diabetes Management

Novo Nordisk has launched Awiqli (insulin icodec) in India, introducing the world's first once-weekly basal insulin for adults with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, according to news reports. The launch marks a significant development in diabetes management by reducing the number of insulin injections required annually from 365 to 52.

The company stated that the therapy is designed to address barriers associated with daily insulin administration. India remains one of the largest diabetes markets globally, with millions of patients requiring insulin-based treatment.

What Is Novo Nordisk Awiqli and How Does It Work?

Awiqli, also known as insulin icodec, is a once-weekly basal insulin developed for adults with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Insulin helps transport glucose from the bloodstream into cells, preventing excessive sugar accumulation in the blood.

Patients with Type 1 diabetes and many individuals with advanced Type 2 diabetes require regular insulin administration to maintain healthy blood glucose levels. By offering a weekly dosing schedule, Awiqli provides an alternative to conventional daily basal insulin therapies.

Once-Weekly Insulin Aims to Address Treatment Delays

According to Novo Nordisk, fear of daily injections remains one of the key reasons why insulin therapy is often delayed in India. The company noted that insulin initiation is commonly postponed by 7 to 9 years despite the clinical need for treatment.

Reducing injection frequency from daily to weekly may help address concerns related to treatment burden. The launch reflects efforts to improve convenience for patients who require long-term insulin therapy.

Awiqli Price in India and Weekly Treatment Cost

Novo Nordisk has priced a 700-unit pack of Awiqli at ₹2,611. Based on the company's calculations, this translates to approximately ₹3.73 per unit, which is around 30% to 40% lower than the cost of daily insulin units currently available in the market. .

A patient requiring 10 units of insulin per day would typically need 70 units of once-weekly insulin under the new treatment regimen. For such patients, the weekly insulin cost would be approximately ₹261 based on the announced pricing.

India Diabetes Burden and Insulin Market Landscape

India has nearly 10.1 crore people living with diabetes and around 13.6 crore individuals with prediabetes. The country also has more than 9 lakh people with Type 1 diabetes, a condition that primarily relies on insulin therapy for management.

In addition, around 10% of patients with Type 2 diabetes require insulin treatment due to challenges in maintaining blood glucose control. Novo Nordisk is already a major player in India's insulin market, with brands such as Mixtard and Ryzodeg among the leading insulin products available in the country, distributed through its partnership with Abbott.

Read More: Biocon Partner Duopharma Secures Malaysia Health Ministry Insulin Contracts.

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Conclusion

The launch of Awiqli introduces a new treatment option for adults requiring basal insulin therapy in India. The once-weekly insulin reduces the frequency of injections while offering a pricing structure that Novo Nordisk says is lower than many daily insulin alternatives on a per-unit basis.

The development comes as India continues to face a substantial diabetes burden, with millions of patients depending on insulin for disease management. The product also strengthens Novo Nordisk's presence in the country's insulin market through an expanded portfolio of diabetes therapies.

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