Insulin icodec, sold under the brand nameAwiqli, is a medication used for the treatment of diabetes to improve glycemic control.[3] It is an ultralong-acting basalinsulin analogue that is developed byNovo Nordisk.[3]
It has a plasma half-life more than eight days[7] (compared to 25 hours of the previous longest-acting insulin analogueinsulin degludec), making it a once-weekly basal insulin.[7]
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.[8]
Insulin icodec was approved for medical use in Canada in March 2024.[3]
In March 2024, theCommittee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of theEuropean 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.[5] The applicant for this medicinal product is Novo Nordisk A/S.[5] Insulin icodec was approved for medical use in the European Union in May 2024.[6]
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.[10]
^abc"Awiqli EPAR".European Medicines Agency. 21 March 2024.Archived from the original on 23 March 2024. Retrieved23 March 2024. Text was copied from this source which is copyright European Medicines Agency. Reproduction is authorized provided the source is acknowledged.
^World Health Organization (2021). "International nonproprietary names for pharmaceutical substances (INN): recommended INN: list 85".WHO Drug Information.35 (1).hdl:10665/340684.
