Join APIC in Protecting Insulin Choice

Help transform the future for those who need insulin: Support the Alliance to Protect Insulin Choice

The Alliance to Protect Insulin Choice (APIC) was formed to keep Levemir (detemir) insulin available for those with diabetes who need this insulin. Novo Nordisk has been the sole manufacturer of this insulin for 19 years. They have announced that they are discontinuing it, so we are asking them to slow down and continue producing Levemir until a biosimilar is available. Some suggested solutions: Novo Nordisk could licensed Levemir to another company until a biosimilar is available. Or they could continue to produce Levemir temporarily while having another company package and distribute it, ensuring that there is a smooth transition from Levemir to the biosimilar. It should not be difficult to find a short-term solution until a Levemir biosmilar is available from another manufacturer.

Novo Nordisk announced on March 22, 2024, that they will not assert a patent against a manufacturer of a biosimilar. The process of manufacturing biosimilars takes time, however. A biosimilar cannot be widely available prior to Novo Nordisk’s current discontinuation date of December 31, 2024.

Levemir is a unique, flexible insulin with a shorter time of action (approximately 14 hours) as compared with the only two other basal insulins currently available: glargine (24 hours) and degludec (42 hours). This shorter time of action is necessary for those who titrate their basal insulin doses frequently to achieve good blood glucose control. Groups that have fluctuating insulin needs and especially benefit from Levemir are teenagers, menstruating women, pregnant women, and athletes. Levemir is also the only basal insulin that can be diluted - which is important for infants, toddlers, and the newly diagnosed.

Levemir insulin has been shown to lead to less weight gain than the two alternatives. It does not have several of the side effects and qualities that preclude some from using these other two basal insulins.

An insulin pump is not a solution for many with diabetes due to cost, allergies, and infections, among other factors. Most with gestational diabetes who need insulin will not need it after their pregnancy, making an insulin pump an unrealistic solution with gestational diabetes. Levemir's short time of action and flexibility are ideal for pregnancy. Not having this available would make it more difficult for many to achieve the tight blood glucose control recommended by the American Diabetes Association for good pregnancy outcomes.

Please help us keep Levemir (detemir) insulin available until a biosimilar can be widely available. If this insulin is discontinued before a biosimilar is available, it may not be possible to produce a biosimilar at a later date and will be detrimental to the health of those with diabetes now and in the future.

Your Impact

By donating to the Alliance to Protect Insulin Choice, you are supporting a movement to keep choice available for those with insulin-dependent diabetes.

Your contribution will help us:

Educate those involved in manufacturing and proving insulin to improve patient outcomes.

Navigate website and legal fees.

Join Us in Making a Difference

Your contribution will improve and save lives.

People with diabetes deserve choice - Donate Now!