World’s First Once-Weekly Insulin Launched in India, Cutting Injections from 365 to 52 a Year
Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk has launched Awiqli (insulin icodec) in India, making the country among the first to offer the world’s first and only once-weekly basal insulin for adults with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. The new treatment is expected to significantly reduce the burden of insulin therapy by cutting injections from 365 to just 52 a year.
A Major Shift in Diabetes Care
Basal insulin helps regulate blood sugar throughout the day and is typically administered once daily. With Awiqli, patients need just one injection every week, delivered through Novo Nordisk’s FlexTouch pen device.
The company said the simplified dosing schedule is designed to address one of the biggest challenges in diabetes treatment—fear of daily injections—which often delays the start of insulin therapy by seven to nine years.
Why It Matters for India
India has one of the world’s largest diabetes populations, with an estimated:
10.1 crore people living with diabetes
13.6 crore people with prediabetes
Over 9 lakh people with Type 1 diabetes
While all people with Type 1 diabetes require insulin, around 10 per cent of Type 2 diabetes patients also need insulin therapy as the disease progresses.
Experts believe a once-weekly insulin could improve treatment adherence and encourage patients to begin insulin therapy earlier instead of delaying it due to concerns about frequent injections.
Clinical Trials Show Promising Results
According to Novo Nordisk, clinical data from the ONWARDS-1 programme showed that Awiqli achieved:
Better reduction in HbA1c (average blood sugar levels) than once-daily insulin glargine
Improved “time in range,” indicating better day-to-day glucose control
A safety profile comparable to daily basal insulin
More patients reaching the recommended HbA1c target of below 7 per cent without increased risk of hypoglycaemia.
Experts Welcome the Innovation
Vikrant Shrotriya, Managing Director of Novo Nordisk India, described the launch as a “defining moment” for diabetes care, saying the once-weekly therapy could reduce both the physical and psychological burden associated with insulin treatment.
Endocrinologist Dr S.K. Wangnoo of Indraprastha Apollo Hospital said delayed insulin initiation and poor treatment adherence remain major challenges in India. He noted that a once-weekly option could improve patient acceptance by reducing injection anxiety and simplifying treatment.
Addressing a Long-Standing Gap
A nationwide study funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) previously found that only about one in three people with known diabetes had their condition under control.
Health experts believe the availability of a once-weekly insulin could help improve long-term blood sugar management, particularly for patients who struggle with daily injections, marking a significant advancement in diabetes care in India.
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