Novo Nordisk announced the recruitment of the 60,000 patients in the A1chieve study - an observational study designed to investigate the effects of modern insulins in the management of type 2 diabetes.

Spanning 28 countries across four continents and involving more than 3300 physicians, A1chieve is set to be the world's largest observational study in insulin therapy.

Approximately 70 per cent of the world's 285 million people with diabetes are living in these 28 emerging countries where there is a rising need and interest to look at differences in physician decisions in the management of diabetes.

"Multinational observational studies like A1chieve provide valuable insights in the way current therapies are applied when it comes to varying cultural, economic and epidemiological circumstances," said Philip Home, professor of Diabetes Medicine at Newcastle University England and chair of the A1chieve Global Advisory Board.

In order to mimic the natural secretion of insulin in the body, commercially available insulin preparations are used in different ways (regimens) based on an individual's need and prevailing local practices. However it is important to evaluate these different regimens in a real life setting.

"Once completed A1chieve will provide locally relevant information on the effective use of modern insulins across different regimens. This information could be further useful to inform and improve the local guidelines on the management of type 2 diabetes," added professor Home.

Jesper H0iland, senior vice president, Novo Nordisk Region International Operations A/S said, "The A1chieve study is another major initiative demonstrating our commitment as leaders in the field of diabetes care. Our vast experience and unmatched presence in the emerging countries has enabled us to carry out such a unique and large scale research activity of clinical importance."

The results of this multinational study will be available in 2011.