Novo Nordisk reports positive trial data for combination insulin therapy

Novo Nordisk has published clinical data that shows the advantages offered by its new insulin degludec/insulin aspart therapy for diabetes.

A study released by the company at the International Diabetes Federation's (IDF's) 21st World Diabetes Congress has shown that the new treatment option is potentially able to reduce hypoglycaemia rates by 58 percent compared to biphasic insulin aspart.

The report also showed that insulin degludec/insulin aspart is well-tolerated and can deliver comparable overall glycaemic control to the alternative among type 2 diabetes patients.

Dr Alan Moses, corporate vice-president and global chief medical officer for Novo Nordisk, said the combination of a long and steady action profile from the basal insulin and the bolus boost of insulin aspart makes the new treatment ideal for mealtime dosing.

"These benefits, along with the reduced risk of hypoglycaemia and improved fasting plasma glucose shown in these studies, are very promising for people living with diabetes," he added.

Last month, the company called for concerted global action to tackle the diabetes health problem, coinciding with the IDF's World Diabetes Day initiative.