Novo Nordisk study shows efficacy of Levemir in children

Novo Nordisk has published data from a new study showing the efficacy of its basal insulin analogue Levemir among diabetes patients aged between two and five years old.

The clinical trial showed that children with type 1 diabetes who were treated with the drug in combination with NovoRapid experienced lower rates of hypoglycaemia than those trialled using human basal insulin.

It represents the first trial of its kind to be conducted among this age group, who are the most at risk of experiencing severe hypoglycaemia and acute diabetes complications.

Novo Nordisk hopes that this data will support its efforts to have Levemir approved for use among this patient population, as no basal insulin analogues are currently recommended for young children.

Kirstine Brown Frandsen, corporate vice-president of global medical affairs at the company, said: "We believe this confirms our long-term commitment to developing treatments for all patients with improved safety profile."

According to the firm's most recent annual report, Novo Nordisk controlled 51 percent of the total global insulin market in 2010.