Preserved pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of insulin degludec and liraglutide when administered as insulin degludec/liraglutide in a Chinese population

We report the findings of a single-dose, randomized, three-period cross-over, clinical trial in healthy Chinese individuals (n = 24) comparing the pharmacokinetics of insulin degludec/liraglutide (IDegLira) with its individual components. Furthermore, we report a population pharmacokinetic analysis of a 26-week, phase III, treat-to-target, randomized trial of 720 Chinese individuals with type 2 diabetes. Participants were randomized to IDegLira, degludec or liraglutide, all once daily with metformin. The pharmacokinetic profiles of IDegLira were similar to its individual components. Dose proportionality was indicated for both IDegLira components. Although there were no relevant covariate effects on degludec exposure, liraglutide exposure was inversely correlated with bodyweight. In conclusion, for the Chinese population, the pharmacokinetics of the fixed-ratio combination IDegLira is similar to that of its individual components.