FDA approves once-weekly insulin for children with type 2 diabetes
Regulators have approved Novo Nordisk’s Awiqli for use in patients aged 10 and older, marking the first time a once-weekly basal insulin has been authorized for this demographic.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted approval for Awiqli, a once-weekly basal insulin developed by Novo Nordisk, to treat type 2 diabetes in patients 10 years and older. The authorization provides an alternative to daily injections for youth facing a rising incidence of the chronic condition.
By consolidating the basal insulin regimen from seven injections per week to one, the treatment aims to address the significant adherence challenges often faced by pediatric patients. Clinical data indicates that simplifying the administration schedule may improve long-term management of glucose levels in younger populations.
The approval occurs as medical providers report an increasing number of type 2 diabetes diagnoses among adolescents. Novo Nordisk expects the availability of this long-acting formulation to reduce the daily treatment burden, potentially improving health outcomes in the pediatric demographic.