Novo Nordisk has begun supplying Awiqli, its first-of-its-kind once-weekly basal insulin, across US pharmacies, promising a significant shift in type 2 diabetes treatment options after receiving FDA approval.
Novo Nordisk has begun supplying Awiqli, its once-weekly basal insulin, to pharmacies across the US, making it the first treatment of its kind available in the country. The drug, insulin icodec-abae, was cleared by the Food and Drug Administration in March 2026 for adults with type 2 diabetes as an add-on to diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control. According to the company’s announcement and Medscape’s reporting, the medicine comes in a single U-700 strength and is delivered with a FlexTouch pen.
The launch follows a lengthy regulatory path. Novo Nordisk first sought approval for use in both major forms of diabetes, but the FDA issued a complete response letter in July 2024. A month earlier, an advisory panel had backed the drug for type 2 diabetes but raised concerns about hypoglycaemia risk in type 1 diabetes. The eventual approval was limited to type 2 diabetes, where the company said the once-weekly option may fit better with some patients’ routines than daily basal insulin.
The approval rested on four phase 3 ONWARDS trials involving 2,680 adults whose diabetes was not adequately controlled on other medicines. In those studies, once-weekly icodec matched or outperformed daily basal insulin on glucose lowering when used with mealtime insulin, a GLP-1 receptor agonist or oral glucose-lowering drugs, according to the trial summary cited in the coverage. Drugs.com said the molecule’s modified structure binds to albumin, extending its half-life to about 196 hours and allowing steady blood levels with weekly dosing.
Novo Nordisk is also offering patient support through its education centre, including a programme that can reduce out-of-pocket costs to as little as $35 a month for eligible patients. The medicine is already sold in the European Union and 13 other countries, including Canada, Australia and Japan. For many people with type 2 diabetes, the arrival of a once-weekly basal insulin marks a notable shift in a treatment area long dominated by daily injections.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
