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Novo Nordisk

Switzerland is first to launch new diabetes therapy - Levemir® (insulin detemir)

Geneva (ots)

Novo Nordisk Switzerland announced today that
Levemir® (insulin detemir), a novel, predictable basal insulin
analogue with a unique mechanism of prolonging action (scientifically
known as protraction), is available for people with type 1 and type 2
diabetes in Switzerland today. The Swiss launch is just the beginning
of an exciting global roll-out of this novel diabetes therapy.
Levemir® is a long-acting insulin analogue that provides more
consistent day-to-day control of blood glucose levels compared to
conventional insulin preparations. (1-6) Among the benefits for
people with diabetes, it has been demonstrated that Levemir® reduces
fasting blood glucose and the risk of hypoglycaemia, especially at
night-time. (1-5) In addition, studies have shown that people using
Levemir® do not experience the undesirable weight gain often
associated with conventional insulin preparations. (1-5,7)
"Our goal for the development of Levemir® was to find the best way
to help people with diabetes control their glucose levels with
consistent dosing," said Lars Rebien Sørensen, President and CEO of
Novo Nordisk. "Levemir® completes our portfolio of insulin analogue
products, and we are proud to begin the launch of this exciting
product in Switzerland."
"The development of Levemir® alongside our other diabetes
therapies is testament to our commitment to treating and defeating
diabetes across the world. Levemir is a result of the expertise we
have built up over more than 80 years in diabetes therapies,"
Sørensen added.
In order to reach as many physicians as possible on the first day
of launch Novo Nordisk will supplement the existing sales force with
over 100 additional Novo Nordisk employees who have received
extensive training on Levemir. Today the team will be visiting 400
doctors in diabetes clinics and primary care centres, throughout
Switzerland, to discuss the benefits of Levemir® over traditional
therapies and to advise on best practise in insulin therapy.
Facilitates predictable glycaemic control
Levemir® is a basal insulin analogue that provides more
predictable and consistent control of blood glucose levels (glycaemic
control). As a result, blood glucose levels are maintained within a
very narrow range, especially during the night. (1,3,8,9) This
provides the opportunity for people with diabetes to achieve
consistent dosing which facilitates optimal glycaemic control.
The benefits of Levemir® have been confirmed in a number of
   clinical studies and include:
- A more predictable profile than NPH insulin and insulin glargine
     (6)
   - First-rate glycaemic control in basal-bolus treatment (1,3,4,8)
   - Lower risk of hypoglycaemia than NPH insulin (especially at 
     night time) (1,3,8,9)
   - Better weight management in type 1 and type 2 diabetes compared
     with NPH insulin (1-5,7)
   - Has a duration of action of up to 24 hours depending on the dose
   - providing the flexibility of once- or twice-daily dosing (11)
Benefits of Levemir® in basal-bolus regimen
A recent study further confirmed that a basal-bolus regimen of
Levemir® plus the rapid acting insulin analogue NovoRapid® provides
improved and more consistent glycaemic control as well as a reduced
risk of hypoglycaemia compared to a conventional regimen of NPH
insulin plus short-acting human insulin. (3) Designed to mimic
natural insulin release and provide a high level of glycaemic
control, a basal-bolus regimen consists of bolus injections of
short-acting insulin before meals to control the blood glucose surge
following food consumption, and a basal injection of intermediate- or
long-acting insulin to control blood glucose levels between meals and
during the night.
"The basal-bolus treatment in association with a well guided
therapeutic education is an excellent strategy for achieving the
ambitious goal of nearing normoglycaemia", says Dr Juan Ruiz,
Endocrinologist/Diabetologist, University Hospital Lausanne,
Switzerland. "The consistent, predictable effect of Levemir on blood
glucose reduces the risk of hypoglycaemia, making it possible to
safely achieve glycaemic goals.  We also hope to see the further
benefit of less weight gain".
Levemir® will be available in further key European countries
during 2004. It will be available in Penfill cartridges and FlexPen®,
the Novo Nordisk device that is simple and easy to use, providing
flexibility and convenience for people with diabetes.
Notes to editors:
  • Novo Nordisk is a focused healthcare company. Novo Nordisk holds the broadest diabetes product portfolio in the industry, including the most advanced products within the area of insulin delivery systems.
  • Novo Nordisk is a world leader in diabetes care. 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 approximately 18'000 people in 68 countries and markets its products in 179 countries. For further company information visit www.novonordisk.com
References
1 Home P, Bartley P, Landin-Olsson M, Russell-Jones D, Hylleberg 
     B, Draeger E.  Insulin detemir offers improved glycemic control,
     less weight gain, and flexible timing of administration compared
     to NPH insulin.  Oral presentation OP 14 Insulin Therapy at the 
     18th annual meeting of the International Diabetes Federation, 25
     August 2003, Paris, France.
2 Pieber T, Grill V, Kristensen A et al. Treatment with insulin
     detemir allows flexible timing of administration in subjects 
     with type 1 diabetes. Diabetologia 2003; 46(Suppl.2):A7.
3 Hermansen K, Fontaine P, Kukolja KK et al. Benefits of Insulin
     Analogues over Human Insulins. Lower HbA1C and less 
     hypoglycaemia using insulin detemir and insulin aspart. 
     Diabetologia (in press).
4 Russell-Jones D, BolinderJ, Simpson R.  Lower and more 
     predictable fasting blood glucose and reduced risk of nocturnal 
     hypoglycaemia with once daily insulin detemir vs. NPH in 
     subjects with type 1 diabetes.  Diabetologia 2002; 45 (suppl. 
     2): A51.
5 De Leeuw I, Vague P, Selam JL, Skeie S, Elte JWF, Lang H, 
     Draeger E.  Lower risk of nocturnal hypoglycaemia and favourable
     weight development in type 1 diabetic subjects after 12 months 
     treatment with insulin detemir vs. NPH insulin. Diabetologia 
     2002; 45 (Suppl. 2); A257.
6 Heise T, Nosek L, Draeger E, Stender A, Rønn BB, Heinemann L,
     Kapitza C., Heinemann L.  Lower within-subject variability of 
     insulin detemir in comparison to NPH insulin and insulin 
     glargine in subjects with type 1 diabetes.  Oral presentation OP
     12 Insulin Therapy at the 18th annual meeting of the 
     International Diabetes Federation, 25 August 2003, Paris, 
     France.
7 Haak T, Tiengo A, Waldhausl W, Draeger E. Treatment with insulin
     detemir is associated with predictable fasting blood glucose 
     levels and favourable weight development in subjects with type 2
     diabetes. Diabetes Care 2003, 52 (Suppl 1): A120.
8 Vague P, Selam J-L, Skeie S, DeLeeuw I, Elte JWF, Haahr H,
     Kristensen A, Draeger E.  Insulin detemir is associated with 
     more predictable glycaemic control and lower risk of 
     hypoglycaemia compared to NPH in subjects with type 1 diabetes 
     on a basal-bolus regimen with premeal insulin aspart. Diabetes 
     Care 2003;26:590-596.
9 Roberts A, Bayer T, Munksgaard E, Lang H, Standl E.  Efficacy 
     and safety of 6- month treatment with insulin detemir in type 1 
     diabetic patients on a basal/bolus regimen.  Diabetologia 
     2001;44 (Suppl 1):A207.and Diabetes 2001;50(2):A129.
10 Hermansen K, Madsbad S, Perrild H, Kristensen A, Axelsen M.
      Comparison of the soluble basal insulin analogue insulin 
      detemir with NPH insulin. Diabetes Care 2001,VOL. 24: 296-301.
11 Pieber TR, Plank J, Goerzer E, Sommer R, Wutte A, Sinner F,
      Bodenlenz M, Endahl L, Draeger E, Zdravkovic M. Duration of 
      action, pharmacodynamic profile and between-subject variability
      of insulin detemir in subjects with type 1 diabetes. 
      Diabetologia 2002;45 (Suppl.2); A257.

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