Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk has launched Awiqli (insulin icodec) in India, introducing the world's first once-weekly basal insulin for adults with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. The launch marks a major advancement in diabetes care by reducing the number of insulin injections from 365 per year to just 52, potentially improving treatment adherence among millions of patients.
India, home to one of the world's largest diabetes populations, becomes the seventh country to introduce Awiqli following approvals in the United States, the European Union, and several other markets. According to Novo Nordisk, the product is designed to simplify long-term insulin therapy while maintaining effective blood glucose control.
The company has priced Awiqli competitively to encourage wider adoption. A 70-unit weekly dose costs ₹261, while the FlexTouch pens are available at ₹2,611 for a 1 mL (700-unit) pen and ₹7,833 for a 3 mL (2,100-unit) pen, placing it in a similar price range to many daily basal insulin therapies.
Addressing India's Growing Diabetes Burden
The launch comes at a time when India's diabetes burden continues to rise. More than 101 million people in the country are living with diabetes, while another 136 million have prediabetes, making India one of the largest markets for diabetes treatment worldwide. Industry estimates suggest that the Indian insulin market could grow from about $660 million in 2025 to over $916 million by 2034, driven by increasing diagnosis rates and greater adoption of insulin therapy.
Despite the growing need, insulin therapy in India is often delayed. Novo Nordisk says patients typically postpone insulin initiation by 7–9 years, mainly due to fear of daily injections, treatment complexity, concerns about pain, and adherence challenges. The company believes a once-weekly regimen could help overcome these barriers and encourage earlier treatment.
Clinical Evidence
According to Novo Nordisk, Awiqli demonstrated strong efficacy in the global ONWARDS clinical programme, showing effective blood sugar control comparable or superior to daily basal insulin therapies while offering the convenience of weekly dosing. The treatment is administered using the company's FlexTouch injection pen and is intended for adults who require basal insulin therapy.
Market Competition
Awiqli enters a competitive insulin market where it will compete with established long-acting insulin brands, including products from Sanofi, as well as offerings from Indian manufacturers such as Biocon, Eris Lifesciences, and Lupin. However, its once-weekly dosing schedule provides a significant point of differentiation from conventional once-daily basal insulin products.
