Novo Nordisk announced that the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) has approved Tresiba® (insulin degludec) for the treatment of diabetes in China. Tresiba® is a new-generation, once-daily basal insulin with an ultra-long duration of action which allows for flexibility in day-to-day dosing.

Tresiba® provides significantly lower risk of overall, severe and nocturnal hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) and comparable reductions of blood sugar levels vs. insulin glargine U100 in people with diabetes.1-4 Studies have also shown that Tresiba® provides significantly lower variability in blood sugar levels compared to insulin glargine U100 and U300.5,6

"There are more adults with diabetes in China than anywhere in the world, and we are delighted that the CFDA's approval brings the availability of Tresiba® in China one step closer," said Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, executive vice president and chief science officer at Novo Nordisk. "Tresiba® gives physicians and people with diabetes a new treatment option that provides equivalent reductions in blood glucose levels and significantly lower risk of hypoglycaemia."

In the multinational, double-blinded Tresiba® cardiovascular outcomes trial, DEVOTE, reported earlier this year, Tresiba® demonstrated cardiovascular safety and a reduced rate of severe and nocturnal severe hypoglycaemia by 40% and 53% respectively compared to insulin glargine U100 in people with type 2 diabetes.4 In the double-blinded SWITCH trials, Tresiba® demonstrated significantly lower rates of overall, nocturnal and severe hypoglycaemia vs. insulin glargine U100 in the full treatment period in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.7,8

China has over 100 million people living with diabetes, and the number is expected to grow to more than 150 million people by 2040.9 Tresiba® is expected to launch in China in Q1 2018.

About Tresiba®Tresiba® (insulin degludec) is a once-daily basal insulin that provides a duration of action beyond 42 hours with a flat and stable glucose-lowering effect.1,6 It provides low variability in blood glucose levels and a lower risk of overall, nocturnal and severe hypoglycaemia vs. insulin glargine U100.1,4 On occasions when administration at the same time of day is not possible, Tresiba® allows for flexibility in day-to-day dosing time with a minimum of eight hours between injections.1 Tresiba® received its first regulatory approval in September 2012 and has since been approved in more than 80 countries globally. It is now commercially available in more than 50 countries.