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Completed

NCT Number: NCT04795531

A Research Study to Compare Two Types of Insulin, a New Insulin, Insulin Icodec and an Available Insulin, Insulin Degludec, in People With Type 2 Diabetes Who Have Not Used Insulin Before (ONWARDS 3)

This study compares insulin icodec (a new insulin taken once a week) to insulin degludec (an insulin taken once daily which is already available on the market) in people with type 2 diabetes.

The study will look at how well insulin icodec taken weekly controls blood sugar compared to insulin degludec taken daily.

Participants will get their study medicine in an injection pen. Participants will get a pen for weekly injection and one for daily injection. One will be icodec or degludec and the other will be dummy medicine. The treatment participants get is decided by chance. Participants and the study staff will not know which active medicine they get.

The insulin is injected with a needle in a skin fold in the thigh. The study could last for about 8 months. Participants will have 13 clinic visits and 17 phone calls with the study doctor. At 8 clinic visits participants will have blood samples taken. At 4 clinic visits participants cannot eat or drink (except for water) for 8 hours before the visit.

Women cannot take part if pregnant, breast-feeding or plan to become pregnant during the study period.

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Key information

Conditions

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Endocrine System Diseases Glucose Metabolism Disorders Metabolic Diseases Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 3

Primary location

STAT Research, Buenos Aires, Argentina

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Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Male or female aged above or equal to 18 years at the time of signing informed consent.
  • Diagnosed with T2D (type 2 diabetes) greater than or equal to 180 days prior to the day of screening.
  • HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin) from 7.0-11.0% (53.0-96.7 mmol/mol) both inclusive at screening confirmed by central laboratory analysis.
  • Insulin naïve. However, short term insulin treatment for a maximum of 14 days prior to the day of screening is allowed, as is prior insulin treatment for gestational diabetes.
  • Stable daily dose(s) greater than or equal to 90 days prior to the day of screening of any of the following anti-diabetic drug(s) or combination regimen(s):

a.) Any metformin formulations greater than or equal to 1500 mg or maximum tolerated or effective dose. b.) Any metformin combination formulations greater than or equal to 1500 mg or maximum tolerated or effective dose. c.) Any of the following oral anti-diabetic drug classes including combinations (greater than or equal to half of the maximum approved dose according to local label or maximum tolerated or effective dose).:Sulfonylureas - Meglitinides (glinides) - DPP-4 inhibitors - SGLT2 inhibitors - Thiazolidinediones - Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors - Oral combination products (for the allowed individual Oral Anti-diabetic Drugs (OADs)) - Oral or injectable GLP-1-receptor agonists

  • Body mass index (BMI) below or equal to 40.0 kg/m^2.

Exclusion criteria

  • Any episodes (as declared by the subject or in the medical records) of diabetic ketoacidosis within 90 days prior to the day of screening.
  • Myocardial infarction, stroke, hospitalisation for unstable angina pectoris or transient ischaemic attack within 180 days prior to the day of screening.
  • Chronic heart failure classified as being in New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class IV at screening.
  • Anticipated initiation or change in concomitant medications (for more than 14 consecutive days) known to affect weight or glucose metabolism (e.g. treatment with orlistat, thyroid hormones, or corticosteroids).
  • Uncontrolled and potentially unstable diabetic retinopathy or maculopathy. Verified by a fundus examination performed within the past 90 days prior to screening or in the period between screening and randomisation. Pharmacological pupil-dilation is a requirement unless using a digital fundus photography camera specified for non-dilated examination.

Treatment and study plan

Insulin icodec

Drug

You will get a pen for weekly injection and one for daily injection. One will be icodec 700 units/mL and the other will be placebo.

Subcutaneously (under the skin) injections

Placebo insulin icodec

Drug

You will get a pen for weekly injection and one for daily injection. One will be insulin degludec 100 units/mL and the other will be placebo.

Subcutaneously (under the skin) injections

insulin degludec

Drug

You will get a pen for weekly injection and one for daily injection. One will be degludec 100 units/mL and the other will be placebo.

Subcutaneously (under the skin) injections

Placebo insulin degludec

Drug

You will get a pen for weekly injection and one for daily injection. One will be icodec 700 units/mL and the other will be placebo.

Subcutaneously (under the skin) injections

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1c)

    Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Week 26

    Change in HbA1c from baseline (week 0) to week 26 is presented. The outcome data is evaluated based on the in-trial observation period. The in-trial period started at randomisation and ended at the date of: the last direct participant-site contact, withdrawal for participants who withdrew their informed consent, the last participant-investigator contact as defined by the investigator for participants who were lost to follow-up (i.e., possibly an unscheduled phone visit) and death for participants who died before any of the above.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)

    Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Week 26

    Change in FPG from baseline (week 0) to week 26 is presented. The outcome data was evaluated based on the in-trial observation period. The in-trial period started at randomisation and ended at the date of: the last direct participant-site contact, withdrawal for participants who withdrew their informed consent, the last participant-investigator contact as defined by the investigator for participants who were lost to follow-up (i.e., possibly an unscheduled phone visit) and death for participants who died before any of the above.

  2. Number of Severe Hypoglycaemic Episodes (Level 3)

    Time frame: From baseline (week 0) to week 31

    Number of severe hypoglycaemic episodes (level 3) is presented. Severe hypoglycaemia (level 3) is defined as hypoglycaemia with severe cognitive impairment requiring external assistance for recovery. The outcome data was evaluated based on the on-tratment period. The on-treatment period started at the date of first dose of trial product as recorded on the electronic case report form (eCRF), and ended at the first date of any of the following: The end of trial visit (V30), the last date on trial product + 5 weeks for once daily insulin and + 6 weeks for once weekly insulin (corresponding to 5 weeks after the end of the dosing interval for both treatment arms) and the end-date for the in-trial observation period. The on-treatment period represented the time period in which a participant was considered exposed to trial product.

  3. Number of Clinically Significant Hypoglycaemic Episodes (Level 2) (< 3.0 mmol/L (54 Milligrams Per Deciliter [mg/dL]), Confirmed by Blood Glucose [BG] Meter)

    Time frame: From baseline (week 0) to week 31

    Number of clinically significant hypoglycaemic episodes (level 2) (less than [<] 3.0 millimoles per liter (mmol/L) (54 mg/dL), confirmed by BG meter) is presented. Clinically significant hypoglycaemia (level 2) is defined as plasma glucose value of less than 3.0 mmol/L (54 mg/dL) confirmed by BG meter. The outcome data was evaluated based on the on-treatment period. The on-treatment period started at the date of first dose of trial product as recorded on the electronic case report form (eCRF), and ended at the first date of any of the following: The end of trial visit (V30), the last date on trial product + 5 weeks for once daily insulin and + 6 weeks for once weekly insulin (corresponding to 5 weeks after the end of the dosing interval for both treatment arms) and the end-date for the in-trial observation period. The on-treatment period represented the time period in which a participant was considered exposed to trial product.

  4. Number of Clinically Significant Hypoglycaemic Episodes (Level 2) (<3.0 mmol/L (54 mg/dL), Confirmed by BG Meter) or Severe Hypoglycaemic Episodes (Level 3)

    Time frame: From baseline (week 0) to week 31

    Number of clinically significant hypoglycaemic episodes (level 2) (less than 3.0 mmol/L) (54 mg/dL), confirmed by blood glucose [BG] meter) or severe hypoglycaemic episodes (level 3) is presented. Severe hypoglycaemia (level 3) is defined as hypoglycaemia with severe cognitive impairment requiring external assistance for recovery. Clinically significant hypoglycaemia (level 2) is defined as plasma glucose value of < 3.0 mmol/L (54 mg/dL) confirmed by BG meter. The outcome data was evaluated based on the on-treatment period. The on-treatment period started at the date of first dose of trial product as recorded on the electronic case report form (eCRF), and ended at the first date of any of the following: The end of trial visit (V30), the last date on trial product + 5 weeks for once daily insulin and + 6 weeks for once weekly insulin (corresponding to 5 weeks after the end of the dosing interval for both treatment arms) and the end-date for the in-trial observation period.

  5. Number of Severe Hypoglycaemic Episodes (Level 3)

    Time frame: From baseline (week 0) to week 26

    Number of severe hypoglycaemic episodes (level 3) is presented. Severe hypoglycaemia (level 3) is defined as hypoglycaemia with severe cognitive impairment requiring external assistance for recovery.

  6. Number of Clinically Significant Hypoglycaemic Episodes (Level 2) (<3.0 mmol/L (54 mg/dL), Confirmed by BG Meter)

    Time frame: From baseline (week 0) to week 26

    Number of clinically significant hypoglycaemic episodes (level 2) (< 3.0 mmol/L (54 mg/dL), confirmed by BG meter) is presented. Clinically significant hypoglycaemia (level 2) is defined as plasma glucose value of less than (<) 3.0 mmol/L (54 mg/dL) confirmed by BG meter.

  7. Number of Clinically Significant Hypoglycaemic Episodes (Level 2) (<3.0 mmol/L (54 mg/dL), Confirmed by BG Meter) or Severe Hypoglycaemic Episodes (Level 3)

    Time frame: From baseline (week 0) to week 26

    Number of clinically significant hypoglycaemic episodes (level 2) (<3.0 mmol/L (54 mg/dL), confirmed by BG meter) or severe hypoglycaemic episodes (level 3) is presented. Severe hypoglycaemia (level 3) is defined as hypoglycaemia with severe cognitive impairment requiring external assistance for recovery. Clinically significant hypoglycaemia (level 2) is defined as plasma glucose value of less than (<) 3.0 millimoles per liter (mmol/L) (54 milligrams per deciliter [mg/dL]) confirmed by blood glucose (BG) meter.

  8. Change in Body Weight

    Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Week 26

    Change in body weight from baseline (week 0) to week 26 is presented. The outcome data was evaluated based on the in-trial observation period. The in-trial period started at randomisation and ended at the date of: the last direct participant-site contact, withdrawal for participants who withdrew their informed consent, the last participant-investigator contact as defined by the investigator for participants who were lost to follow-up (i.e., possibly an unscheduled phone visit) and death for participants who died before any of the above.

  9. Mean Weekly Insulin Dose

    Time frame: From week 24 to week 26

    Estimated mean weekly insulin dose during the last 2 weeks of treatment (from week 24 to week 26) is presented. The outcome data was evaluated based on the on-treatment period. The on-treatment period started at the date of first dose of trial product as recorded on the electronic case report form (eCRF), and ended at the first date of any of the following: The end of trial visit (V30), the last date on trial product + 5 weeks for once daily insulin and + 6 weeks for once weekly insulin (corresponding to 5 weeks after the end of the dosing interval for both treatment arms) and the end-date for the in-trial observation period. The on-treatment period represented the time period in which a participant was considered exposed to trial product.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Novo Nordisk A/S

Industry

Registry information

Official study title

A 26-week Double Blinded, Multiregional, Trial Comparing the Effect and Safety of Once Weekly Insulin Icodec and Once Daily Insulin Degludec 100 Units/mL, Both in Combination With Non-insulin Anti-diabetic Drugs, in Insulin naïve Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes.

Acronym: ONWARDS 3

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2022
Study completion
2022
First posted
Mar 12, 2021
Registry last updated
Jun 12, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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