Novo Nordisk Betting on New Long-Lasting Diabetes Drug to Dominate

Shares of Novo Nordisk popped 5% last week after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the application for its long-acting insulin drug Tresiba. Dr. Todd Hobbs, the company’s U.S. chief medical officer, said he is confident the new diabetes drug will live up to the early hype. 'The long acting duration of action is something unique,' said Hobbs. 'It’s going to offer patients flexibility that they don’t have with current products and we are real excited to have that in the U.S. now.' Tresiba is already sold in 30 countries, and Novo Nordisk, already the world’s largest insulin maker, expects to launch it in the U.S. in early 2016. The U.S. approval means Novo Nordisk will be competing with against long-acting insulins Lantus and Toujeo sold by rival Sanofi SA (SNY). Tresiba is indicated for use alone, or in combination with oral antidiabetic medicines or bolus insulin, and is approved for glycemic control in adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, according to Hobbs. He said Tresiba provides a long duration of action beyond 42 hours. While patients are encouraged to take their insulin at the same time each day, Hobbs said Tresiba allows patients to dose at any time of the day which is different from its current product in the market Levemir.