This edition highlights progress in diabetes innovation, here led by Novo Nordisk, and which speaks to ongoing efforts to revolutionize treatments and enhance patient outcomes not just in Canada, but around the world.
The highlight of the week is undoubtedly Novo Nordisk's introduction of Awiqli® (insulin icodec injection) in Canada, making it the world’s first once-weekly basal insulin available for diabetes treatment starting June 30, following its approval by Health Canada on March 12, 2024. This marks a significant addition to diabetes care led by Novo Nordisk with the world’s first once-weekly basal insulin.
According to the company, this new insulin option aimed to improve glycemic control and will alleviate the burden of daily injections for the over 4.1 million Canadians with diagnosed diabetes, addressing a significant need as a majority expressed interest in less frequent administration regimes. Kate Hanna, speaking on behalf of Novo Nordisk, highlighted the positive reception from private drug plans, stating, "We are seeing positive early signals that private drug plans see the value Awiqli provides patients living with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.”
In connection, Dr. Richard Dumas, the director of the Laval Clinical Research Centre, discussed the drug’s convenience and suitability for basal insulin users initiating treatment in a TV Anouvelles report. In the article, Sylvie Lauzon, President of Diabetes Quebec, was also featured and she stated that research and innovation were crucial in assisting with diabetes management.
Additionally, the Canadian Press, Weekly Voice, and Zoomer Radio featured two endocrinologists who shared their thoughts on the matter. Dr. Harpreet Bajaj, head of Diabetes Canada's clinical practice guidelines steering committee, highlighted the significance of Awiqli, particularly for Canadians with type 2 diabetes, noting its potential to alleviate the daily injection burden.
Dr. Alexander Abitbol, assistant medical director at LMC Healthcare, emphasized the new insulin's benefit in managing blood sugar levels more consistently over a week, potentially reducing long-term complications associated with untreated diabetes. However, both of them also brought up concerns over the drug’s higher cost compared to daily insulin shots. According to them, this factor could affect accessibility, despite its anticipated positive impact on diabetes management.
Canadians with diabetes talked about the convenience of using Awiqli® as it lowers their frequency of taking insulin shots in a City News Everywhere interview. They also called for insurance coverage for this new diabetes medication.
Beyond diabetes care, this week also witnessed significant investments in aging and brain health solutions as the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI) announced a $9.5 million investment through its Mentorship, Capital, and Continuation Program to support innovation in the aging and brain health sector, aligning with Canada's National Dementia Strategy. Companies like QurCan Therapeutics and PragmaClin are among the beneficiaries, with investments targeting cognitive and age-related disorders and digital health solutions for Parkinson's disease, respectively.
Have access to the latest news in your industry, contact us today!
