Awiqli, the First Once-Weekly Basal Insulin, Now Available Nationwide

Adults with type 2 diabetes who rely on daily basal insulin injections now have a new option that requires far less frequent dosing. Novo Nordisk has announced the nationwide launch of Awiqli (insulin icodec-abae), the first U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved once-weekly basal insulin, following approval earlier this year.

Basal insulin is typically taken once a day to help manage blood sugar levels between meals and overnight, and maintaining that daily routine can be a significant barrier for some patients. Awiqli is designed to simplify that process by reducing basal insulin dosing from seven injections a week down to just one, administered through a prefilled FlexTouch pen on the same day each week.

"Awiqli represents meaningful progress in the options available for basal insulin therapy for the millions of adults with type 2 diabetes," said Tom Scales, senior vice president of Market Access and Public Affairs and Patient Support Solutions at Novo Nordisk, in a statement announcing the launch.

The approval is based on the ONWARDS type 2 diabetes clinical trial program, which evaluated once-weekly Awiqli against daily basal insulin across five separate studies, including patients using it alongside mealtime insulin, oral diabetes medications or GLP-1 receptor agonists. Across the program, Awiqli met its primary goal of noninferiority compared with daily basal insulin, based on changes in hemoglobin A1c, a standard measure of long-term blood sugar control.

The safety profile observed across the trials was consistent with other basal insulins already on the market. Common side effects include hypoglycemia, injection site reactions, skin changes at the injection site, itching, rash, swelling in the hands and feet, and weight gain. As with other insulin products, serious allergic reactions are also possible.

Awiqli is now available at more than 70,000 pharmacies nationwide. Novo Nordisk is offering an affordability program through NovoCare.com, where eligible patients may pay as little as $35 a month, alongside a broader Patient Education Center that includes educational resources, healthy recipes and additional cost-saving support.

Awiqli is approved specifically for adults with type 2 diabetes and is intended to be used alongside diet and exercise. It has not been studied for safety and effectiveness in children or adolescents.

For patients who find a daily insulin routine difficult to maintain, a once-weekly option could offer a more manageable path to consistent treatment.