Singapore: Novo Nordisk is all set to launch a new basal insulin for adult patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, Tresiba (insulin degludec).

The clinical trials for the long-lasting insulin injection Tresiba have been completed and all the necessary approvals have been received. "We hope to launch it by the end of this year," Mr Melvin D'souza, MD, Novo Nordisk India, told mediapersons.

The company has said that Tresiba is a once-daily basal insulin with a duration of action beyond 42 hours, allowing for flexibility in day-to-day dosing time when needed, without compromising efficacy or risk of hypoglycaemia.

"In the current insulin treatments, people with diabetes are required to take their long-acting insulin at around the same time each day. However, the mode of action of insulin degludec ensures that, on occasions when this is not possible, people with diabetes can alter the time they take their insulin without compromising their diabetes control or putting themselves at increased risk of hypoglycaemia," explained Mr Raman Shetty, director, clinical medical and regulatory director, Novo Nordisk India.

The officials added that Tresiba will be made available in prefilled pen with an easy touch button, enabling doses of up to 80 units in a single injection. Mr D'souza added that the pricing will be announced at the time of the launch and that through this launch the company is hopeful of growing its market share in the Indian diabetes care segment at 15 percent per annum.