Novo Nordisk discusses safety of insulin products

Novo Nordisk is certain its insulin analogues are effective at helping those who suffer from diabetes.

The company markets three such products – Levemir (insulin detemir), NovoRapid/NovoLog (insulin aspart) and NovoMix/NovoLog Mix 70/30 (biphasic insulin aspart).

It responded to data published in Diabetologia, which is the journal of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes.

The findings suggested there may be a possible link between a long-acting insulin analogue – insulin glargine – and cancer.

However, executive vice-president and chief scientific officer of Novo Nordisk Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen said the company conducts tests to ensure products are safe and effective.

“Our science-driven approach to the discovery and development of safe, improved insulin analogues ? convinces us that our insulin analogues improve treatment outcomes in diabetes patients relative to human insulin,” he asserted.

Novo Nordisk employs more than 27,000 staff worldwide, 48 per cent of whom are located in Denmark.

The company focuses its research and development on growth hormone therapy, diabetes care, haemostasis management and hormone replacement therapy.