Source: Neuroimaging Clin N Am  |  Posted 6 years ago

New formulae allow physicians to further improve post-prandial glucose control in response to diabetes disease progression

BAGSV?RD, DENMARK -- October 11, 2005 -- Novo Nordisk today announced that the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has granted EU marketing authorisation for its new premix insulin analogues (biphasic insulin aspart), NovoMix(R) 50 and NovoMix(R) 70, for the treatment of people with diabetes.

These products complement NovoMix(R) 30 in Novo Nordisk's portfolio of premixed insulins, which contain both rapid- and intermediate-acting insulin and therefore cover both the need at mealtimes and the basal need for insulin.

NovoMix(R) 50 and NovoMix(R) 70 make it possible to intensify insulin treatment over time, which is important because diabetes is a progressive disease. In these mixes, the percentage of rapid-acting insulin is raised from 30% in NovoMix(R) 30 to 50% and 70% respectively, allowing physicians a new option for bringing patients to their glucose targets. All three products are administered in Novo Nordisk's FlexPen(R) insulin injection device, allowing easy transition to the new regimen.

Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, chief science officer at Novo Nordisk, welcoming the approval said, "These products will give people with diabetes and healthcare professionals additional options when there is a need for greater post-prandial glucose control, but a desire to stay on a simple and yet efficacious therapy."

A growing body of evidence suggests that it is important for people with diabetes to control their glucose levels directly after a meal, when glucose levels rise rapidly, as well as throughout the day. The NovoMix(R) portfolio does exactly this -- injected before or up to 15 minutes after starting a meal, the rapid-acting insulin controls the immediate glucose 'spike', while the basal insulin ensures cover is provided throughout the day. There are a number of studies providing evidence that NovoMix(R) 30 is the optimal insulin with which to start insulin therapy[^]1,2[], with more patients starting on NovoMix(R) 30 achieving their targets compared to those starting on basal insulin[^]1[].

REFERENCES:
1. Raskin P, et al: Initiating insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 28:260-65, 2005.
J2. ain R, et al: Efficacy of biphasic insulin aspart 70/30 in patients with T2DM not achieving glycemic targets on OADs with/without basal insulin therapy. Poster presented at ADA 2005, San Diego.

SOURCE: Novo Nordisk