NOVO NORDISK
Sat, 24 Jun 2023 18:00:00 -0400
Sat, 24 Jun 2023 18:00:00 -0400
SAN DIEGO, June 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Novo Nordisk today announced that data from the phase 3a ONWARDS 1 and 3 trials evaluating investigative once-weekly insulin icodec, which were presented at the 83rd Annual Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association (ADA), showed the studies met their primary endpoints and insulin icodec provided similar glucose-lowering effects (change in HbA1C from baseline) while reducing injections from seven to one per week compared with once-daily basal insulin1-2. Additionally, data from the ONWARDS 1 and 3 studies demonstrated that more insulin-naïve adults with type 2 diabetes treated with insulin icodec achieved an HbA1c target of <7.0% without experiencing clinically significant or severe hypoglycemia compared with once-daily basal insulin comparators at 52 and 26 weeks, respectively1-2.
In ONWARDS 1, as a confirmatory secondary endpoint, superior Time in Range (blood glucose 70-180 mg/dL) was achieved with once-weekly insulin icodec vs. once-daily basal insulin glargine U100 (71.9% vs. 66.9%, respectively; p=0.0004) from week 48-521. Comparable Time below Range (blood glucose <54 mg/dL) was achieved with once-weekly insulin icodec vs. once-daily basal insulin glargine U100 (0.3% vs. 0.2%, respectively) from week 48–52 in ONWARDS 11. Both values are in line with internationally recommended targets3.
"Time in Range provides additional information to help us assess glycemic control and is an increasingly important tool to complement HbA1c measurements which were substantially reduced by once-weekly basal insulin icodec. In ONWARDS 1, insulin icodec allowed people to spend significantly more Time in Range, with comparable Time below Range vs. once-daily basal insulin glargine U100," said Dr. Julio Rosenstock, Lead trial Investigator and Director of Velocity Clinical Research at Medical City Dallas and Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. "A once-weekly basal insulin has the potential to change how we treat people with type 2 diabetes needing basal insulin replacement."
In ONWARDS 1, there were no statistically significant differences in mean weekly insulin dose (week 50-52) or in body weight change from baseline. Level 2 (blood glucose <54 mg/dL) or 3 (symptomatic hypoglycemia requiring third party assistance regardless of blood glucose measurement) hypoglycemia rates (baseline to week 52) were low in both treatment groups, with numerically higher rates with insulin icodec. Rates of clinically significant (level 2) or severe (level 3) hypoglycemia were 0.30 events per patient year exposed and 0.16 events per patient year exposed to once-weekly insulin icodec and once-daily insulin glargine U100, respectively. A higher proportion of participants achieved an HbA1C target of <7% without level 2 or 3 hypoglycemia with insulin icodec vs. insulin glargine U100 (52.6% vs. 42.6%, p=0.0028). In ONWARDS 3, level 2 or 3 hypoglycemia rates were numerically higher with once-weekly insulin icodec vs. once-daily insulin degludec. Rates of clinically significant (level 2) or severe (level 3) hypoglycemia were 0.31 events per patient year exposed and 0.15 events per patient year exposed to insulin icodec and insulin degludec, respectively. The estimated proportion of participants achieving an HbA1C target of <7% without level 2 or 3 hypoglycemia was statistically significantly higher with insulin icodec vs. insulin degludec. There were no significant differences in mean weekly insulin dose from week 24 to 26 or body weight change from baseline to week 26 between treatment arms. No unexpected safety findings were observed1-2.
"These data reinforce our confidence in the potential of once-weekly insulin icodec," said Florian M.M. Baeres, Corporate Vice President, Global Medical Affairs at Novo Nordisk. "If approved, we believe this innovation – which would be the world's first once-weekly basal insulin – could help people living with type 2 diabetes ready to start insulin treatment by reducing the number of injections needed per week."
Based on data from the ONWARDS clinical trial program, Novo Nordisk submitted a biologics license application (BLA) in April 2023 to the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for once-weekly insulin icodec for the treatment of diabetes. A decision from the agency is anticipated in April of 2024. If approved, insulin icodec will represent the first and only once-weekly basal insulin option for adults with diabetes, addressing an unmet need in treatment vs. a daily basal insulin option4-9.
About insulin icodec
Insulin icodec is an investigational novel once-weekly basal
insulin analog designed to cover the basal insulin requirements for a
full week with a single subcutaneous injection.
About the ONWARDS clinical program
The ONWARDS phase 3a trial program for once-weekly insulin
icodec comprises six phase 3a global clinical trials, including a
trial with real-world elements, involving more than 4,000 adults with
type 1 or type 2 diabetes4-9. All trials have met their
primary endpoints.
About ONWARDS 1
7
ONWARDS 1 is a phase 3a, 78-week, open-label efficacy and
safety treat-to-target trial investigating once-weekly insulin icodec
vs. once-daily insulin glargine U100, both in combination with
non-insulin anti-diabetic treatment, in 984 insulin-naïve adults with
type 2 diabetes. The primary endpoint was change in HbA1C
from baseline to week 52 with insulin icodec compared to insulin
glargine U100. Secondary endpoints included time in target blood
glucose range (70-180 mg/dL), change in fasting plasma glucose (FPG)
from baseline to week 52 and number of clinically significant (level
2) or severe (level 3) hypoglycemia episodes. Following the completion
of the 52-week main phase of the trial, a 26-week extension phase to
further assess safety was undertaken and is now finalized.
About ONWARDS 3
6
ONWARDS 3 is a phase 3a, double-blind 26-week efficacy and
safety treat-to-target trial investigating once-weekly insulin icodec
vs. insulin degludec, both in combination with non-insulin
anti-diabetic treatment. The objective of the trial was to assess the
efficacy and safety of insulin icodec in 588 insulin-naïve adults with
type 2 diabetes. The primary endpoint was change in HbA1C
from baseline to week 26. Secondary endpoints included change in
fasting plasma glucose (FPG) from baseline to week 26 and number of
clinically significant (level 2) or severe (level 3) hypoglycemia episodes.
About Novo Nordisk
Novo Nordisk is a leading global healthcare company that has
been making innovative medicines to help people with diabetes lead
longer, healthier lives for 100 years. This heritage has given us
experience and capabilities that also enable us to drive change to
help people defeat other serious chronic diseases such as obesity and
rare blood and endocrine disorders. We remain steadfast in our
conviction that the formula for lasting success is to stay focused,
think long-term and do business in a financially, socially, and
environmentally responsible way. With U.S. headquarters in New Jersey and production and research
facilities in seven states, Novo Nordisk employs nearly 6,000 people
throughout the country. For more information, visit novonordisk-us.com, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Contact for further information
Further information
Media:
Nicole Ferreira (US)
+1 609 786 5868
ncaj@novonordisk.com
Investors:
Mark Joseph Root (US)
+1 848 213 3219
mjhr@novonordisk.com
References
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SOURCE Novo Nordisk