Insulin icodec: A novel once‐weekly treatment for diabetes

AIMS: To summarize the results of clinical studies of insulin icodec, an investigational insulin analog designed for once-weekly administration, in adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Thirteen published articles describing clinical studies of insulin icodec were identified in PubMed, and data pertinent to key study outcomes were selected for inclusion in this review. RESULTS: In insulin-naïve and insulin-treated individuals, icodec demonstrated efficacy in glycaemic control superior or noninferior to that of insulins glargine U100, glargine U300 and degludec. Icodec exhibited a safety profile comparable to marketed insulins, with the exception of hypoglycaemic event rates. CONCLUSIONS: As a once-weekly alternative to daily basal insulin, icodec is expected to improve patient adherence and satisfaction, reducing the required number of injections per year from 365 to 52 and providing a dosing option potentially attractive to a wide range of insulin users. However, clinical data suggest a notable risk of hypoglycaemia with weekly icodec administration, especially in individuals with type 1 diabetes.