New once-a-week insulin could change how we treat type 2 diabetes

An experimental once-weekly insulin known as efsitora has shown comparable effectiveness to daily insulin regimens in managing blood sugar levels among adults with type 2 diabetes, according to results presented at the recent American Diabetes Association (ADA) meeting.

The findings come from three late-stage clinical trials involving nearly 1,000 participants at different stages of insulin use. Each study demonstrated that efsitora was equally effective as existing daily insulins in lowering HbA1c levels — a key marker used to assess long-term blood sugar control.

Pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, which is developing the drug, highlighted its potential to reduce the treatment burden for patients. “Once-weekly efsitora may offer a significant advancement for people with type 2 diabetes who need insulin by eliminating over 300 injections per year,” said Jeff Emmick, Lilly’s Senior Vice President of Product Development.

One of the trials, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, focused on patients initiating insulin therapy for the first time. The other two studies — published in The Lancet — examined individuals already using basal insulin degludec, and those combining basal insulin glargine with mealtime insulin.

Lead researcher Dr. Julio Rosenstock of UT Southwestern Medical Center noted that simplifying insulin regimens may encourage more patients to begin necessary treatment. “Efsitora has the potential to reduce the psychological and logistical barriers that come with starting insulin,” he said.

According to The Lancet, about one-third of people with type 2 diabetes require insulin within eight years of diagnosis, making advancements like efsitora particularly timely.