The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Novo Nordisk's  prefilled insulin pens NovoLog (insulin aspart [rDNA origin] injection) FlexTouch and Levemir (insulin detemir [rDNA origin] injection) FlexTouch. FlexTouch is a new prefilled insulin delivery system from Novo Nordisk.

When a dose is dialed with traditional prefilled pens, the push button extends, and at larger doses this can present challenges for the patient. The unique dosing mechanism of FlexTouch ensures the push-button does not extend at any dose and allows insulin to be administered by pressing the low dose force button.

“Novo Nordisk is committed to continuously introducing new solutions that can improve the lives of people with diabetes,” said Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, executive vice president and chief scientific officer of Novo Nordisk. “This approval marks another advancement in insulin delivery and an important milestone for Novo Nordisk.”

Novo Nordisk plans to make NovoLog FlexTouch and Levemir FlexTouch available in the US within the next year. FlexTouch was approved by the European Commission in July 2011 and has launched in several countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark and Japan.

NovoLog FlexTouch is a prefilled insulin pen containing 300 units of insulin aspart. The pen doses in one unit increments, from 1 to 80 units and is compatible with both NovoFine and the latest NovoTwist needles.

NovoTwist comes in 5 mm (32G Tip) and 8 mm (30G) versions. An audible and tactile ‘click’ confirms attachment of the needle.

Levemir FlexTouch is a prefilled insulin pen containing 300 units of insulin detemir. The pen doses in one unit increments, from one to 80 units and is compatible with both NovoFine and the latest NovoTwist needles. NovoTwist comes in 5 mm (32G Tip) and 8 mm (30G) versions. An audible and tactile ‘click’ confirms attachment of the needle.

Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with 90 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care.