Insulin icodec: A novel once-weekly treatment for diabetes

Diabet Med. 2024 Oct;41(10):e15414. doi: 10.1111/dme.15414. Epub 2024 Jul 24.

Abstract

Aims: To summarize the results of clinical studies of insulin icodec, an investigational insulin analog designed for once-weekly administration, in adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Thirteen published articles describing clinical studies of insulin icodec were identified in PubMed, and data pertinent to key study outcomes were selected for inclusion in this review.

Results: In insulin-naïve and insulin-treated individuals, icodec demonstrated efficacy in glycaemic control superior or noninferior to that of insulins glargine U100, glargine U300 and degludec. Icodec exhibited a safety profile comparable to marketed insulins, with the exception of hypoglycaemic event rates.

Conclusions: As a once-weekly alternative to daily basal insulin, icodec is expected to improve patient adherence and satisfaction, reducing the required number of injections per year from 365 to 52 and providing a dosing option potentially attractive to a wide range of insulin users. However, clinical data suggest a notable risk of hypoglycaemia with weekly icodec administration, especially in individuals with type 1 diabetes.

Keywords: diabetes; diabetes mellitus; diabetes mellitus, type 1; diabetes mellitus, type 2; insulin; insulin, long‐acting.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Glucose / drug effects
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1* / blood
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1* / drug therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / blood
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / drug therapy
  • Drug Administration Schedule*
  • Glycated Hemoglobin / analysis
  • Glycated Hemoglobin / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemia / chemically induced
  • Hypoglycemic Agents* / administration & dosage
  • Hypoglycemic Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Insulin / administration & dosage
  • Insulin / analogs & derivatives
  • Insulin / therapeutic use
  • Insulin Glargine* / administration & dosage
  • Insulin Glargine* / therapeutic use
  • Insulin, Long-Acting* / administration & dosage
  • Insulin, Long-Acting* / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Insulin, Long-Acting
  • Insulin Glargine
  • Insulin
  • insulin degludec
  • Blood Glucose
  • Glycated Hemoglobin

Grants and funding