The US FDA has approved Awiqli (insulin icodec), the first once-weekly basal insulin for adults with type 2 diabetes, a notable shift from basal insulins that until now required a daily injection.
The approval was based on the ONWARDS phase 3a clinical trial program, made up of four randomized, controlled studies against daily basal insulins. Results showed reductions in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) comparable to or better than daily insulins, with a similar safety profile.
By moving from a daily to a weekly injection, this type of insulin aims to simplify treatment and reduce the burden of injections for people with type 2 diabetes. Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical company behind the drug, expects to begin selling it in the United States during the second half of 2026.