Novo Nordisk India launched Awiqli (insulin icodec), the world’s first once-weekly basal insulin for adults with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, on 9 July 2026.
Key clinical and product features
- Active substance: insulin icodec — a basal insulin engineered for once-weekly dosing.
- Dosing frequency: 52 injections per year versus 365 for daily basal insulin.
- Clinical evidence: ONWARDS‑1 global programme reported superior HbA1c reduction and improved Time in Range versus once-daily insulin glargine U100.
- Pharmacology: structural modification with albumin-binding protraction provides prolonged plasma half‑life enabling weekly administration.
Pricing & availability
- Pen formulations: 700‑unit (1 ml) FlexTouch pen ₹2,611; 2,100‑unit (3 ml) pen ₹7,833.
- Per‑dose cost: weekly 70‑unit dose ≈ ₹261 (~USD 2.74).
- Cost comparison: per‑unit weekly therapy is ~30–40% cheaper than comparable daily insulin unit costs.
- Market position: India is the 7th country to introduce Awiqli; will compete with existing basal insulins such as insulin glargine (Lantus).
Relevance to India
- Disease burden: >101 million people with diabetes and 136 million with prediabetes in India.
- Therapy gap: insulin initiation is delayed by 7–9 years due to fear of injections, treatment complexity, cost and hypoglycaemia concerns.
- Adherence target: reduced injection frequency aims to address barriers to initiation and long‑term adherence.
IASPOINT Booster Facts
- HbA1c: glycated haemoglobin reflecting mean plasma glucose over ~8–12 weeks; primary efficacy end‑point in diabetes trials.
- Time in Range (TIR): proportion of glucose readings within 70–180 mg/dL; complements HbA1c for glycaemic assessment.
- Regulatory context: Awiqli had prior approvals in the US and EU before introduction in India.