Once a week

Insulin for injections once a week has successfully passed the second phase of testing

The results of the second phase of trials of a new insulin for patients with type 2 diabetes have been published. The drug has proven its safety and effectiveness. If the planned third phase goes as well, diabetics will be able to refuse daily injections.

The Danish company Novo Nordisk has developed a new icodec (icodec) — an analogue of insulin with a half-life of about seven days. In addition to modifying the insulin molecule to prevent the destruction of enzymes, icodec binds to albumin, a protein that the liver produces. This helps to maintain a stable slow release of the substance, according to the company's press release.

Article by Rosenstock et al. Once-Weekly Insulin for Type 2 Diabetes without Previous Insulin Treatment is published in the New England Journal of Medicine – VM.

In the second phase of the double control trial, the scientists randomly distributed 247 participants between two groups. One received daily injections of insulin and weekly — placebo, the second vice versa.

After 26 weeks, there was no difference in side effects between the two groups. From the point of view of blood sugar control, weekly injections of icodec proved to be as effective as daily injections of insulin. In addition to convenience, injections once a week, rather than once or twice a day, will make life easier for different categories of patients with type 2 diabetes — young people leading an unpredictable lifestyle and elderly people who are often confused about medications.

A larger third phase of testing is planned for the end of this year. In addition, the company recently completed a small test of icotec on patients with type 1 diabetes. The results are expected to be published soon.

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru