Study: Tresiba U200 delivers significantly lower rates of confirmed hypoglycaemia vs insulin glargine U100

More concentrated formulation means fewer injections, and consequently better patient compliance

New data presented at the 51st annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) show that patients with type 2 diabetes receiving the U200 formulation of Tresiba(R) (insulin degludec) experienced significantly lower rates of confirmed hypoglycaemia and significantly reduced mean fasting blood glucose compared to those receiving insulin glargine U100. Tresiba U200 is twice as concentrated as U100, allowing patients to inject up to 160 units in a single injection, rather than in two separate injections. Tresiba (insulin degludec) is a once-daily basal insulin that provides duration of action beyond 42 hours.

“These findings provide valuable insights to physicians treating patients with type 2 diabetes, many of whom require higher doses of insulin.The more concentrated formulation of Tresiba also means fewer injections, which will be a welcome option for those patients who require higher than 80 units.” said Dr Mark Warren, lead study investigator.

The 32-week, open-label, crossover, treat-to-target trial compared the safety, efficacy and patient-reported outcomes of Tresiba U200 to insulin glargine U100 in patients who might benefit from a low-volume basal insulin. In the study, patients with type 2 diabetes also reported higher satisfaction with Tresiba U200, highlighting an overall preference versus insulin glargine U100. Patients receiving the more concentrated formulation of Tresiba also reported numerically lower cases of nocturnal hypoglycaemia and lower weight change and rated the delivery device FlexTouch significantly better for function.

After 16 weeks, the study demonstrated that Tresiba U200 delivered non-inferiority to insulin glargine with respect to change in patient blood glucose levels and significantly reduced mean fasting plasma glucose with Tresiba U200 versus insulin glargine (-0.82 mmol/L vs -0.05 mmol/L).

In addition, 32.1 per cent of patients in the Tresiba(R) U200 arm and 35.2 per cent in the insulin glargine are reported adverse events. Of these, 2.9 per cent and 2.8 per cent respectively were serious adverse events requiring third party intervention.