Novo Nordisk,Aradigm Setting the Standards for Pulmonary Insulin; Experts Discuss NewNon-Invasive Alternatives in Insulin Treatment
Wednesday May 9, 8:31 am Eastern TimePress Release
COPENHAGEN, Denmark, May 9 /PRNewswire/ -- The following press release was issued by Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO - news):A highly sophisticated device that will make it possible for diabetes patients to inhale, rather than inject, their life sustaining insulin was a major topic of discussion among many of the 400 experts in clinical diabetes, gathered in Geneva, Switzerland this past weekend for the Diabetes Di@Logue interactive conference.`
`Pulmonary insulin could redefine what insulin therapy means to diabetes patients and physicians, not only by offering an alternative to the needle, but also by provoking new thinking and discussion,'' said Professor Per Wollmer, of the University of Lund, Sweden, who lead a workshop on the subject.`
`However,'' Prof. Wollmer continued, ``as we move forward with this new treatment approach it is essential that the medical profession set the standards for pulmonary delivery in order to best serve our patients and help overcome the devastation caused by this condition.'
'The idea of a pulmonary insulin delivery system is not new. In fact, researchers have been striving to develop it ever since the introduction of insulin therapy in the 1920s. But as good as such a system is in theory, translating it to reality -- and ensuring that patients would receive consistent, highly absorbed, insulin doses has proven extremely difficult.
Novo Nordisk, the world's leader in insulin production and diabetes treatment research and development, and partner Aradigm, are currently developing AERx® iDMS, the world's first electronic pulmonary insulin system. The unique features of this system address the key requirements and standards for pulmonary insulin by ensuring a high level of efficacy and reproducibility. These features include a liquid insulin formulation that allows correct particlesizing, electronic breath control that only allows delivery if the rate of breathing is correct, one insulin unit dosing, a high level of absorption and a data downloading system to review accurate device use and patient compliance.
The actual AERx® iDMS device is no larger than a paperback book, and has been shown in trials to be simple for patients to use efficiently and easy for physicians and nurses to teach to patients.
The issue of pulmonary insulin treatment standards received much discussion at the Geneva meeting, which was sponsored by Novo Nordisk. Those addressing the issue stressed that for any pulmonary insulin system to achieve both its medical and psychosocial goals, it will have to be so reliable and consistent that patients can be assured that it will, at a minimum, provide patients with the same level of control that injectable insulin now provides.
While persons who do not suffer from diabetes generally take the idea of daily insulin injections for granted, some of those with the condition either have an aversion towards self-administered injections, both because of the perceived stigma associated with needle use, and because of a general fear of injections.
These barriers may cause patients to delay, avoid or mismanage treatment with insulin -- increasing the risks of life-threatening complications, includingheart disease, blindness, kidney disease and amputations. Experts at the Diabetes Di@Logue suggested that pulmonary insulin may provide a catalyst to break down many of the barriers to insulin initiation and can offer an exciting new alternative for a disease now considered a worldwide pandemic.
For further company information visit www.novonordisk.com . SOURCE: Novo Nordisk; Aradigm
Novo Nordisk’s sponsorship of Diabetes Di@Logue follows its participation in the European Diabetes Research Programme (EDRP), a research initiative designed to find a cure for diabetes and lessen the impact of its complications. The programme is a unique partnership between the non-profit and private sectors, supported by more than USD 10 million over three years from Novo Nordisk, the programme’s sole corporate sponsor, joining with the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation (JDF).
Patients, healthcare professionals, media and anyone interested in Diabetes Di@logue can log onto www.novonconference.com. |
