Insulin Toujeo® — a Novel Basal Long-Acting Insulin Formulation. Part 1. Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Aspects

Abstract

This review, consisting of two parts, considers a new formulation of insulin glargine (rDNA origin) in the form of injections 300 U/ml (Gla-300, Toujeo®). Gla-300 is a next generation basal insulin with a novel formulation of insulin glargin delivering the same amount of insulin, as glargine-100 (Gla-100, Lantus®) in 1/3 volume. Following the subcutaneous injection, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of Gla-300 are more constant and prolonged (beyond 24 hours) compared with Gla-100 due to a more gradual and extended release of glargine from subcutaneous depot (Gla-300 forms a more compact subcutaneous depot with reduced surface area compared to Gla-100). The clinical efficacy and safety of Gla-300 in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus are discussed with an emphasis on recently released data from EDITION (the phase 3a) clinical trials. Gla-300 showed comparable glycaemic control and similar safety profile with lower incidence of hypoglycaemia events compared with Gla-100. Gla-300 provided flexible dosing of insulin (24 ± 3 h or morning vs evening) and was associated with less body weight gain.

Keywords

• diabetes mellitus
• glycated hemoglobin
• hypoglycaemia
• glargine
• insulin
• Gla-100 (Lantus®)
• Gla-300 (Toujeo®)