A faster acting mealtime insulin is now approved and available in Canada.
Novo Nordisk Canada Inc. announced that Fiasp (insulin aspart), a faster acting mealtime insulin, is now approved and available in Canada.
Fiasp is an innovative formulation of insulin aspart that more closely matches the natural physiological insulin response of a person without diabetes, after a meal, compared with NovoRapid (conventional insulin aspart). Two excipients have been added to Fiasp’s formulation, Vitamin B3 (niacinamide) to increase the speed of absorption, and a naturally occurring Amino Acid (L-Arginine) for stability.
Fiasp also has the option of a flexible dosing regimen (up to two minutes before a meal and up to 20 minutes after starting a meal), without compromising overall glycemic control or safety.
Achieving optimal glycemic control is recommended by Diabetes Canada to reduce the incidence and slow the progression of diabetes-related complications.
“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 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 hyperglycemia, for instance, a condition that can cause serious complications for people living with diabetes.”
Fiasp is absorbed faster than NovoRapid (conventional insulin aspart), appearing twice as fast in the bloodstream after injection, which leads to improved glycemic control after a meal.
In clinical trials, Fiasp demonstrated improved overall glycemic control in type 1 diabetes and comparable overall glycemic 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 hypoglycemia compared with NovoRapid.
“Novo Nordisk is committed to helping people living with diabetes better manage their disease, and in preventing complications that could have a detrimental impact on their health and quality of life,” said Brian Hilberdink, President, Novo Nordisk Canada Inc. “We are continuously researching innovative solutions to improve diabetes management and address critical unmet needs. We are pleased to be able to offer a new solution with the launch of Fiasp, one that supports people with diabetes in achieving optimal mealtime glucose control, particularly in an area that is in need of more innovative advancements.”
Approximately 11 million Canadians live with diabetes or prediabetes and that number may to increase to more than 13 million by 2026. Fiasp was approved by Health Canada on January 6, 2017 for the treatment of adult patients with diabetes mellitus who require mealtime insulin for the control of hyperglycemia.
