Novo Nordisk launched Awiqli, the world's first once-weekly basal insulin, in India on July 9, 2026 [1, 2].
The introduction of the drug targets a critical public health challenge in a country with some of the highest diabetes rates globally. By reducing the frequency of injections, the company aims to improve treatment adherence and quality of life for patients managing type-2 diabetes [2, 3].
Awiqli significantly alters the daily routine for patients. The treatment reduces the number of annual injections from 365 to 52 per patient [4]. This shift from daily to weekly administration is intended to lower the physical and psychological burden associated with long-term insulin therapy [2, 3].
India becomes the seventh market to receive the medication [5]. The drug is priced at ₹261 per week [5].
Vikrant Shrotriya, Managing Director of Novo Nordisk India, said the medication is a practical answer to the challenges of chronic disease management during an interview with NDTV.
"When we are launching this Awiqli, you called it a disruption. I call it a solution for Type 2 diabetes," Shrotriya said [4].
The launch comes as India continues to grapple with a rising diabetes burden. The company said that the goal is to provide a solution that makes the management of the condition easier for the patient population [2, 3].
“Annual injections reduced from 365 to 52 per patient”
The transition from daily to weekly insulin represents a shift toward patient-centric design in chronic care. In a high-burden environment like India, reducing injection frequency can mitigate 'treatment fatigue,' which often leads to skipped doses and severe complications. The pricing strategy and the scale of the Indian market will likely determine if such long-acting insulins become the standard of care or remain a premium alternative to traditional basal insulins.
