Fiasp - a new, ultra-fast acting mealtime insulin

Novo Nordisk has announced that Fiasp, a new, fast-acting mealtime insulin for the treatment of diabetes in adults, has been launched in Canada, following the recent marketing authorisation from Health Canada on 6 January 2017.

Fiasp is insulin aspart in an innovative formulation that more closely matches the natural physiological insulin response of a person without diabetes after a meal, compared with NovoRapid (conventional insulin aspart). Fiasp also has the option of a flexible dosing regimen (up to 20 minutes after starting a meal), without compromising overall glycaemic control, when compared to NovoRapid dosed at mealtime.

"The launch of Fiasp in Canada represents the first new mealtime insulin in 10 years. We hope to make this innovation available to as many people with diabetes as possible worldwide," said Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, executive vice president and chief science officer of Novo Nordisk. "The goal of any insulin treatment is to match the natural physiological insulin production we see in people without diabetes, both in speed and glycaemic control. Fiasp has narrowed the existing gap, getting us closer to that goal."

Fiasp is absorbed faster than NovoRapid, appearing twice as fast in the bloodstream after injection, which leads to improved glycaemic control after a meal. In clinical trials, Fiasp demonstrated improved overall glycaemic control in type 1 diabetes2 and comparable overall glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes, versus NovoRapid. Results also showed improved mealtime glucose control in type 1 and type 2 diabetes. This was achieved without a significant difference in the overall rate of severe or confirmed hypoglycaemia, compared with NovoRapid.

Clinical trial results showed that the faster absorption of Fiasp, compared to NovoRapid®, was even more pronounced in those using a continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) system (insulin pump therapy). In addition, when compared with NovoRapid in a CSII setting in people with type 1 diabetes, Fiasp showed no difference in pump compatibility as assessed by microscopically confirmed infusion-set occlusions, and the treatments were equally effective in controlling glucose levels, compared to NovoRapid.

"People living with diabetes often struggle to control blood glucose around mealtimes, which can be extremely challenging and result in debilitating diabetes-related complications," said Dr Rémi Rabasa-Lhoret, endocrinologist at the Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal and onset 1 investigator. "With the approval of a faster-acting insulin, one that is closer to the natural physiological insulin response of a person without diabetes, we can further support people in managing their blood glucose levels around meals, which may help prevent hyperglycaemia, for instance, a condition that can cause serious complications for people living with diabetes."

Following the first country launch in Canada, Fiasp will also be available in a number of European markets in the coming months.