India Pharma Outlook Team | Thursday, 09 July 2026
India is set to become one of the earliest markets for Novo Nordisk's breakthrough once-weekly insulin. The Danish drug maker is preparing to launch Awiqli (insulin icodec) after securing regulatory approval.
This marks a major milestone in diabetes management, bringing access to Indian patients to the treatment that requires only one injection per week instead of daily dosing.
The development highlights India's growing importance as a strategic market for innovative diabetes therapies while addressing one of the country's biggest public health challenges.
Awiqli is the world's first once-weekly basal insulin designed for adults with diabetes requiring long-acting insulin therapy. The new therapy is different from the traditional basal insulin, which is taken daily, and requires only 52 shots per year, compared with 365 shots a year for the traditional insulin.
“The most important advantage of once-weekly insulin is its efficacy of lasting for almost 7 days during which sugar level is maintained and there is no risk increased risk of hypoglycaemia”, said Venkatesh Shivane, Senior endocrinologist at Mumbai Jaslok Hospital.
Many patients may experience treatment fatigue and non-compliance with insulin therapy, leading to poor glycemic control and increased risk of complications. This early access to the innovation also highlights India's emerging importance as a priority market for global pharmaceutical companies to launch next-generation therapies.
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India is home to one of the largest diabetic populations in the world. According to the International Diabetes Federation, nearly 101 million adults in the country are living with diabetes.
The increasing prevalence has created an urgent need for innovative and patient-friendly treatment options. Once-weekly insulin could particularly benefit elderly patients, individuals with demanding work schedules, and those who struggle to maintain regular treatment routines.
Better adherence may lead to improved blood sugar control, lowering the risk of complications like kidney disease, cardiovascular disorders, vision loss, and nerve damage. As diabetes cases continue to rise, therapies that simplify disease management are expected to play an increasingly important role in reducing the long-term healthcare burden.
The launch of Awiqli will make India's diabetes treatment market even stronger, as it is one of the fastest-growing segments in the Indian pharma industry. The launch also aligns with India's growing emphasis on value-added pharmaceutical products and intricate treatments. Multinational companies will keep on releasing innovative medicines.
And domestic pharmaceutical companies could secure new chances in manufacturing collaborations, distribution and clinical trials, as well as future development of biosimilars. In addition to commercial possibilities, the advanced insulin therapies further underscore India's significance as a major global healthcare market, poised to rapidly embrace breakthrough innovations.
Diabetes is still a long-term public health issue, and the once-weekly insulin is a major step forward that can help to enhance the health of people with diabetes and also contribute to the ongoing development of the Indian pharmaceutical industry.
