Cipla Introduces Afrezza - Ultra-Rapid Acting Inhaled Insulin for Adults with Diabetes in India - Video

Cipla Limited has announced the launch of Afrezza, the world's only available inhaled insulin for adults living with Diabetes Mellitus, offering a patient-centric and needle-free approach to mealtime insulin therapy.

Diabetes management often requires insulin to maintain optimal blood glucose control. However, many patients face barriers such as fear of injections, inconvenience of multiple daily doses, and concerns about hypoglycemia, which can delay the initiation of insulin therapy. This highlights the need for simpler and more convenient treatment options.

Addressing this need, Cipla has introduced Afrezza, a rapid-acting inhaled insulin that uses Technosphere Insulin, a dry-powder formulation of regular human insulin delivered through a compact oral inhaler. The formulation uses fumaryl diketopiperazine (FDKP), a carrier molecule that forms microparticles enabling insulin to reach the lungs and enter the bloodstream rapidly. Afrezza is available in 4-unit, 8-unit, and 12-unit single-dose cartridges and is taken at the beginning of a meal.

Clinical trials, including the Affinity studies and a Phase III study in Indian patients, demonstrated significant HbA1c reduction and good tolerability. The American Diabetes Association guidelines also recommend inhaled insulin for prandial dosing due to its rapid onset and shorter duration.