Global Premiere: NovoRyz® – The World’s First Once-Weekly Basal Insulin/GLP-1 RA Combination – Set to Launch First in China: Once a Week, One Injection Breakthrough, Doubled Efficacy, Metabolic Benefits

ChengduJune 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Global leading biopharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk announced that NovoJie^® (Icodec Insulin Semaglutide Injection), the world’s first and currently only^# approved basal insulin/glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) weekly preparation, will soon be launched in China. It is indicated for adult patients with type 2 diabetes who have inadequate glycemic control after treatment with basal insulin or GLP-1 RA, to be used in combination with oral glucose-lowering drugs on a foundation of diet and exercise^[1].

Diabetes Management Enters the “Weekly Preparation Era”

Diabetes is a global challenge of chronic metabolic diseases. Currently, the number of adult diabetes patients in China is approximately 148 million, accounting for one-quarter of the global adult diabetes population^[2]. A century ago, the discovery of insulin transformed diabetes from a fatal disease into a manageable chronic condition. However, for many type 2 diabetes patients, daily injections are not only a physical burden but also a psychological “shackle.” Data shows that 93% of patients using insulin express a desire for good blood sugar control without the need for daily injections^[3]. Additionally, fear of hypoglycemia and concerns about weight gain have become two major “invisible barriers” affecting treatment adherence^[4].

In recent years, GLP-1 RA drugs have further advanced the health management goals for diabetes patients, expanding from simple blood sugar reduction to comprehensive metabolic benefits including weight, heart, kidney, and liver health. In terms of dosing frequency, the shift from daily preparations to GLP-1 RA weekly preparations (such as Semaglutide Injection) and insulin weekly preparations (such as Icodec Insulin) has significantly improved patient medication experience, clinical benefits, and adherence. Diabetes management is accelerating into the weekly preparation era.

Semaglutide Molecule Innovation: Enhanced Efficacy, Multiplied Benefits, Metabolic Gains

NovoJie^® is composed of Semaglutide, a widely used GLP-1 RA weekly preparation with substantial clinical evidence, and Icodec Insulin, the world’s first basal insulin weekly preparation^##[5,6]. The dual components work synergistically to better mimic physiological insulin secretion patterns^[7], addressing multiple pathophysiological mechanisms of diabetes.

Clinical studies show^[8] that the NovoJie^® treatment group achieved an HbA_1c <7.0% target rate of 72%, twice that of the basal insulin** treatment group. Among these, the proportion of patients achieving high-quality targets* was five times that of the basal insulin group, while also providing weight and comprehensive metabolic benefits. In short, NovoJie^® enhances target achievement rates while reducing treatment concerns related to hypoglycemia and weight gain. With once-weekly administration, it significantly alleviates the injection burden on patients^[7], returning health and freedom to life.

“China Co-Creation” Leads Breakthroughs, Global Launch Benefits Worldwide

As a key milestone in Novo Nordisk’s “China Co-Creation” project, the Phase 3 clinical trial COMBINE 1 for NovoJie^® was led by Professor Ji Linong from Peking University People’s Hospital. This marks the first time in Novo Nordisk’s history that a Chinese expert has served as the global principal investigator for an international multi-center clinical trial, highlighting the critical role of Chinese scientific research in global pharmaceutical innovation and reflecting Novo Nordisk’s long-term commitment to deep engagement in China and collaboration with the local innovation ecosystem to drive breakthroughs.

China is the first country for the commercial launch of this product globally, and Chinese type 2 diabetes patients will be the first to benefit. The exploration and application of this therapy by Chinese doctors in real-world settings will provide important references for its global promotion, further underscoring China’s strategic value in the global pharmaceutical innovation landscape.

Professor Ji Linong from Peking University People’s Hospital stated: “Diabetes management has entered a new phase of ‘early target achievement and multiple benefits,’ and combination therapy is a key strategy to achieve this goal. NovoJie^®, through the powerful combination of a basal insulin weekly preparation and a GLP-1 RA weekly preparation, achieves potent glycemic control while addressing multiple clinical needs such as hypoglycemia risk and weight management. This is the first time Chinese patients have been among the first globally to benefit from such a high-level innovative drug.”

Dr. Cai Yan, Senior Vice President of Novo Nordisk Global and President of Greater China, stated: “For a century, Novo Nordisk has steadfastly advanced innovation in diabetes treatment. The development of NovoJie^® represents another expansion of the Semaglutide molecule in clinical application and a milestone in Novo Nordisk’s ‘China Co-Creation’ initiative. As a leader in diabetes treatment, Novo Nordisk will leverage cutting-edge R&D innovation and localized deep engagement to drive more high-quality innovative achievements to benefit Chinese patients.”

About Novo Nordisk

Novo Nordisk, founded in 1923, is a global leading biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Denmark. Rooted in a century-long legacy in diabetes care, our mission is to drive change to defeat serious chronic diseases. To achieve this goal, we lead scientific breakthroughs, expand access to our medicines, and work to prevent and ultimately cure diseases. Novo Nordisk employs approximately 67,900 people in 80 countries and markets its products in around 170 countries. Novo Nordisk China official website: http://www.novonordisk.com.cn

#As of June 2026, NovoJie^® has been approved in countries and regions including the EU and China. EMA URL: Kyinsu | European Medicines Agency (EMA)

##Icodec Insulin was approved by the National Medical Products Administration on June 24, 2024

###COMBINE 1 is a 52-week, open-label, treat-to-target, randomized Phase 3a trial. It enrolled 1,291 T2DM patients with inadequate glycemic control on basal insulin therapy, randomized 1:1 to receive NovoJie^® or Icodec Insulin once weekly, aiming to evaluate the efficacy and safety of NovoJie^® versus Icodec Insulin in T2DM patients with inadequate glycemic control on basal insulin therapy.

####Hypoglycemia refers to clinically significant or severe hypoglycemia; clinically significant hypoglycemia: confirmed by blood glucose meter with glucose <3.0 mmol/L; severe hypoglycemia: hypoglycemia accompanied by severe cognitive impairment requiring external assistance for recovery

*”High-quality target achievement”: Achieving HbA_1c <7.0% without weight gain and without clinically significant or severe hypoglycemia

**Basal insulin refers to Icodec Insulin in the COMBINE 1 study