Hyderabad, July 10: Global pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk has introduced Awiqli (insulin icodec) in the Indian market, bringing the country’s first once-a-week basal insulin therapy for adults living with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
Unlike conventional long-acting insulin that requires daily administration, Awiqli is designed to be injected only once every week, reducing the number of injections from 365 to 52 annually. The company believes the simplified dosing schedule could improve treatment compliance, particularly among patients who delay starting insulin because of injection-related concerns.
The medicine has been priced at ₹261 for a weekly 70-unit dose. It will be available in two disposable pen formats—a 700-unit (1 ml) pen priced at ₹2,611 and a 2,100-unit (3 ml) pen costing ₹7,833. Distribution across India is scheduled to begin next week.
Speaking at the product launch, Vikrant Shrotriya, Managing Director of Novo Nordisk India, said the weekly insulin has been introduced at a price lower than many daily basal insulin products, which typically cost between ₹345 and ₹453 for a comparable 70-unit dose.
The launch comes at a time when India continues to witness a sharp rise in diabetes cases. According to company estimates, the country has more than 101 million people with diabetes, while another 136 million individuals are living with prediabetes, placing them at high risk of developing the disease.
Novo Nordisk noted that insulin therapy is often initiated several years after diagnosis in India, with patients delaying treatment by an average of seven to nine years because of concerns over frequent injections, discomfort and affordability. The company estimates that nearly six million Indians currently use insulin, and expects this figure to grow to around nine million in the coming years.
Industry projections indicate sustained growth in India’s insulin market, which is expected to increase from $660.5 million in 2025 to $916.4 million by 2034, supported by increasing diabetes prevalence, lifestyle changes and an ageing population.
Internationally, Awiqli has already secured regulatory approval in the United States, the European Union, and several other countries. With its introduction in India, the country becomes the seventh market worldwide to offer the once-weekly insulin therapy.
The new product will compete with existing long-acting insulin brands, including Sanofi’s Lantus, as well as insulin glargine formulations sold by Indian pharmaceutical companies such as Biocon, Eris Lifesciences, and Lupin.
Novo Nordisk is simultaneously expanding its footprint in India’s fast-growing obesity treatment segment, where it faces competition from Eli Lilly and several domestic pharmaceutical manufacturers.
