Novo Nordisk India Pvt. Ltd. introduced Levemir insulin (detemir) to the Indian market today to aid glycaemic control for people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes cases in the country.
Levemir, according to the company, is a novel predictable basal insulin analogue with a unique mechanism of prolonging action. A fatty acid attached to the insulin molecule enables Levemir to bind the albumin which helps maintain the blood glucose levels in a predictable range.
Unlike other insulins, Levemir is not associated with weight gain. Using Levemir the blood glucose levels are maintained within a narrow range, especially during the night. This helps the diabetics to achieve consistent dosing which facilities optimal glycaemic control, claims Melvin Oscar D' Souza, managing director, Novo Nordisk India.
As part of the launch efforts, within 30 days of Levemir's into India, Novo Nordisk has increased its sales force which will cover over 30,000 doctors manning diabetic clinics in the country to recommend the use of the new basal insulin over traditional therapies, said sources.
Novo Nordisk will import Levemir from Denmark. Pharmabiz had reported that the company had entered into collaboration with Torrent Pharma for vials and also entered into a distributorship alliance with Abbot.
The company's other products marketed in India include NovoPen 3, Novolet & Flexpen.