Clinical data | |
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Trade names | Awiqli |
Routes of administration | Subcutaneous |
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Chemical and physical data | |
Formula | C280H435N71O87S6 |
Molar mass | 6380.33 g·mol−1 |
Insulin icodec, sold under the brand name Awiqli, is a medication used for the treatment of diabetes to improve glycemic control. [2] It is an ultralong-acting basal insulin analogue that is developed by Novo Nordisk. [2]
It has a plasma half-life more than eight days [4] (compared to 25 hours of the previous longest-acting insulin analogue insulin degludec), making it a once-weekly basal insulin. [4]
Like insulin, icodec is composed of two peptide chains linked by a disulfide bridge. However, a C20 fatty diacid-containing side chain has been added for strong, reversible albumin binding; and three amino acid substitutions provide molecular stability and attenuate insulin receptor binding and clearance. Together, these modifications prolong the half-life. [5]
Insulin icodec was approved for medical use in Canada in March 2024. [2]
In March 2024, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) adopted a positive opinion, recommending the granting of a marketing authorization for the medicinal product Awiqli, intended for the treatment of diabetes. [6] The applicant for this medicinal product is Novo Nordisk A/S. [6] Insulin icodec was approved for medical use in the European Union in May 2024. [3]
Insulin icodec is the international nonproprietary name. [7]
Based on a clinical trial, glycemic control was found to be non-inferior with once-weekly insulin icodec compared with once-daily insulin glargine U100. [8]
Intensive insulin therapy or flexible insulin therapy is a therapeutic regimen for diabetes mellitus treatment. This newer approach contrasts with conventional insulin therapy. Rather than minimize the number of insulin injections per day, the intensive approach favors flexible meal times with variable carbohydrate as well as flexible physical activities. The trade-off is the increase from 2 or 3 injections per day to 4 or more injections per day, which was considered "intensive" relative to the older approach. In North America in 2004, many endocrinologists prefer the term "flexible insulin therapy" (FIT) to "intensive therapy" and use it to refer to any method of replacing insulin that attempts to mimic the pattern of small continuous basal insulin secretion of a working pancreas combined with larger insulin secretions at mealtimes. The semantic distinction reflects changing treatment.
Drugs used in diabetes treat diabetes mellitus by decreasing glucose levels in the blood. With the exception of insulin, most GLP-1 receptor agonists, and pramlintide, all diabetes medications are administered orally and are thus called oral hypoglycemic agents or oral antihyperglycemic agents. There are different classes of hypoglycemic drugs, and selection of the appropriate agent depends on the nature of diabetes, age, and situation of the person, as well as other patient factors.
Novo Nordisk A/S is a Danish multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Bagsværd with production facilities in nine countries and affiliates or offices in five countries. Novo Nordisk is controlled by majority shareholder Novo Holdings A/S which holds approximately 28% of its shares and a majority (77%) of its voting shares.
Insulin glargine sold under the brand name Lantus among others is a long-acting modified form of medical insulin, used in the management of type I and type II diabetes. It is injected just under the skin. Effects generally begin an hour after use.
An insulin analog is any of several types of medical insulin that are altered forms of the hormone insulin, different from any occurring in nature, but still available to the human body for performing the same action as human insulin in terms of controlling blood glucose levels in diabetes. Through genetic engineering of the underlying DNA, the amino acid sequence of insulin can be changed to alter its ADME characteristics. Officially, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) refers to these agents as insulin receptor ligands, although they are usually just referred to as insulin analogs or even just insulin.
Neutral Protamine Hagedorn (NPH) insulin, also known as isophane insulin, is an intermediate-acting insulin given to help control blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. It is used by injection under the skin once to twice a day. Onset of effects is typically in 90 minutes and they last for 24 hours. Versions are available that come premixed with a short-acting insulin, such as regular insulin.
Exenatide, sold under the brand name Byetta among others, is a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. It is used together with diet, exercise, and potentially other antidiabetic medication. It is a treatment option after metformin and sulfonylureas. It is given by injection under the skin.
Insulin detemir, sold under the brand name Levemir among others, is a long-acting modified form of medical insulin used to treat both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It is used by injection under the skin. It is effective for up to 24 hours.
Insulin aspart, sold under the brand name NovoLog, among others, is a modified type of medical insulin used to treat type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It is generally used by injection under the skin but may also be used by injection into a vein. Maximum effect occurs after about 1–3 hours and lasts for 3–5 hours. Generally a longer-acting insulin like insulin NPH is also needed.
Insulin lispro, sold under the brand name Humalog among others, is a modified type of medical insulin used to treat type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It is delivered subcutaneously either by injection or from an insulin pump. Onset of effects typically occurs within 30 minutes and lasts about 5 hours. Often a longer-acting insulin like insulin NPH is also needed.
Liraglutide, sold under the brand names Victoza and Saxenda among others, is an anti-diabetic medication used to treat type 2 diabetes, and chronic obesity. It is a second-line therapy for diabetes following first-line therapy with metformin. Its effects on long-term health outcomes like heart disease and life expectancy are unclear. It is given by injection under the skin.
As a medication, insulin is any pharmaceutical preparation of the protein hormone insulin that is used to treat high blood glucose. Such conditions include type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, and complications of diabetes such as diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic states. Insulin is also used along with glucose to treat hyperkalemia. Typically it is given by injection under the skin, but some forms may also be used by injection into a vein or muscle. There are various types of insulin, suitable for various time spans. The types are often all called insulin in the broad sense, although in a more precise sense, insulin is identical to the naturally occurring molecule whereas insulin analogues have slightly different molecules that allow for modified time of action. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. In 2021, it was the 179th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 2 million prescriptions.
Lente insulin was an intermediate duration insulin that is no longer used in humans. The onset of lente insulin is one to two hours after the dose is administered, and the peak effect is approximately 8 to 12 hours after administration, with some effects lasting over 24 hours.
Lixisenatide is a once-daily injectable GLP-1 receptor agonist for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Insulin degludec (INN/USAN) is an ultralong-acting basal insulin analogue that was developed by Novo Nordisk under the brand name Tresiba. It is administered via subcutaneous injection to help control the blood sugar level of those with diabetes. It has a duration of action that lasts up to 42 hours, making it a once-daily basal insulin, that is one that provides a base insulin level, as opposed to the fast- and short-acting bolus insulins.
Semaglutide is an antidiabetic medication used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and an anti-obesity medication used for long-term weight management. It is a peptide similar to the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), modified with a side chain. It can be administered by subcutaneous injection or taken orally. It is sold under the brand names Ozempic and Rybelsus for diabetes, and under the brand name Wegovy for weight loss.
Insulin glargine/lixisenatide, sold under the brand name Soliqua among others, is a fixed-dose combination medication that combines insulin glargine and lixisenatide and is used to treat diabetes.
Somapacitan, sold under the brand name Sogroya, is a growth hormone medication. Somapacitan is a human growth hormone analog. Somapacitan-beco is produced in Escherichia coli by recombinant DNA technology.
Tirzepatide, sold under the brand names Mounjaro and Zepbound, is an antidiabetic medication used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and for weight loss. Tirzepatide is administered via subcutaneous injections.
Lotte Bjerre Knudsen is a Danish scientist and university professor. She led the development of liraglutide and semaglutide, two notable drugs approved for indications in the treatment of diabetes and obesity.