Data presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) 42nd Conference in Copenhagen showed NovoMix? 30 (biphasic insulin aspart) to have comparable efficacy to basal-bolus combination therapy, with a similar safety profile in patients previously treated with oral antidiabetic therapy. These findings follow on from the European Commission?s recent decision to approve NovoMix? 30 as the first premixed insulin suitable for once-daily initiation and subsequent intensification of treatment, if needed. The data also confirm the position of NovoMix? 30 as an appropriate treatment choice for patients who prefer a convenient, effective once or twice-daily insulin therapy.
The findings were part of the PREFER Study, which compared basal?bolus treatment with NovoMix? 30 in 715 poorly-controlled patients with type 2 diabetes.(1) This study found NovoMix? 30 had efficacy and safety comparable to basal?bolus combination in patients previously treated with oral antidiabetic therapy,(1) giving a simple, convenient and effective treatment option appropriate for both initiation and intensification of treatment.
?The importance of maintaining good glycaemic control is well understood,? said Dr Andreas Liebl of the Center for Diabetes and Metabolism, Bad Heilbrunn, Germany, lead investigator of the PREFER study. ?Basal?bolus therapy is seen as a gold standard treatment as it controls both fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and postprandial glucose (PPG), which we now know to be crucial to good control.(2) The PREFER study demonstrates that this control can also be achieved with NovoMix? 30, and confirms that starting and intensifying treatment with NovoMix? 30 will help achieve and maintain that control in a simple and convenient way. This means patients can continue to use the same insulin and same delivery device that they are familiar with as their diabetes progresses.?
Efficacy was equivalent for both FPG and HbA1c control in both treatment groups among previously insulin-na?ve patients.(1) This suggests that NovoMix? 30 is an appropriate choice for patients not suitable for, or who cannot cope with, basal?bolus combination therapy, providing comparable efficacy without compromising safety.
Furthermore, NovoMix? 30 demonstrated an equivalent safety profile to basal?bolus, with patients in both treatment arms experiencing a low rate of hypoglycaemia.
About NovoMix?30
NovoMix? 30 is a premixed insulin analogue indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Because most people with diabetes do not respond to insulin in the same way, many require more than one type of insulin to control blood glucose levels. NovoMix? 30 contains both rapid-acting insulin (30%) and intermediate-acting insulin (70%) in one dose, through its dual-release formula.
About Novo Nordisk
Novo Nordisk is a healthcare company and a world leader in diabetes care. The company has the broadest diabetes product portfolio in the industry, including the most advanced products within the area of insulin delivery systems. In addition, Novo Nordisk has a leading position within areas such as haemostasis management, growth hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy. Novo Nordisk manufactures and markets pharmaceutical products and services that make a significant difference to patients, the medical profession and society. With headquarters in Denmark, Novo Nordisk employs more than 22,750 employees in 79 countries, and markets its products in 179 countries.