Novo Nordisk’s diabetes drug in China

China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) has approved Novo Nordisk’s Tresiba (insulin degludec) for the treatment of diabetes in China.

Tresiba is a new-generation, once-daily basal insulin with an ultra-long duration of action which allows for flexibility in day-to-day dosing.

Novo Nordisk said in its press release that Tresiba provides significantly lower risk of overall, severe and nocturnal hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) and comparable reductions of blood sugar levels vs. insulin glargine U100 in people with diabetes. Studies have also shown that Tresiba provides significantly lower variability in blood sugar levels compared to insulin glargine U100 and U300.

“There are more adults with diabetes in China than anywhere in the world, and we are delighted that the CFDA’s approval brings the availability of Tresiba in China one step closer,” said Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, executive vice president and chief science officer at Novo Nordisk. “Tresiba gives physicians and people with diabetes a new treatment option that provides equivalent reductions in blood glucose levels and significantly lower risk of hypoglycaemia.”

China has over 100 million people living with diabetes, and the number is expected to grow to more than 150 million people by 2040.9 Tresiba is expected to launch in China in Q1 2018, the company said.