So many conditions are interconnected, such as obesity and diabetes. This is making us take a broader look into patient challenges and how we curate therapies that address their unmet needs.

Patients living with diabetes have up to 4x greater risk of having a stroke, heart attack, or other related cardiovascular disease. (Source)

Knowing that, a lot of our studies have been focused around modifying existing therapies to potentially help those living with this condition. For example, one of our studies is focused on investigating a once-weekly basal insulin to potentially reduce dosing frequency for patients with diabetes.

All of our therapies are tested in clinical trials to ensure the solutions we deliver are safe and effective. That’s one of the most exciting things about sharing our work and innovation at a scientific meeting like ADA-- it’s our opportunity to show healthcare providers and patients what we are doing to move the needle in these critical therapeutic areas.

Outside of innovation through science, we often don’t realize that innovation can take form beyond just a medicine or a type of therapy.

One of the things that is so unique about Novo Nordisk is how we expand health awareness through our partnerships in the community. For example, we are a founding sponsor of the Know Diabetes By Heart™ initiative which is run by a collaboration between the American Heart Association and American Diabetes Association.

With cardiovascular disease being a leading cause of death for people living with type 2 diabetes (Source), this initiative seeks to comprehensively and holistically combat the national public health impact of these conditions. We place emphasis on establishing an understanding of the link between type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease among patients, supporting healthcare providers with the latest clinical guidelines and science, and engaging health systems to improve quality of care.

Another way our company works to elevate awareness in our communities about the impact of the connection between type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk is through our Get Real About Diabetes Program. Through improving knowledge of the associated risks and creating resources that guide patients in facilitating the right conversations with their doctors, we really hope these programs help patients to take ownership of their health.

From innovating new therapies to expanding into new disease areas, I hope Novo Nordisk continues to innovate for the next 100 years. Hopefully, we will all see a future soon where patients have more options at their disposal to live longer, healthier lives.