Insulin degludec is a long acting insulin used to treat hyperglycemia caused by type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus. Insulin is typically prescribed for the management of diabetes mellitus to mimic the activity of endogenously produced human insulin, a peptide hormone produced by beta cells of the pancreas that promotes glucose metabolism.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed · 5 references
Insulin detemir binds to the insulin receptor (IR), a heterotetrameric protein consisting of two extracellular alpha units and two transmembrane beta units. The binding of insulin to the alpha subunit of IR stimulates the tyrosine kinase activity intrinsic to the beta subunit of the receptor. The bound receptor autophosphorylates and phosphorylates numerous intracellular substrates such as insulin receptor substrates (IRS) proteins, Cbl, APS, Shc, and Gab 1. Activation of these proteins leads to activation of downstream signaling molecules including PI3 kinase and Akt. Akt regulates the activity of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) and protein kinase C (PKC), both of which play critical roles in metabolism and catabolism.
- Primary indication
- Insulin degludec is indicated to improve glycemic control in patients 1 year of age and older with diabetes mellitus.Curator reviewed · 5 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C274H411N65O81S6 · 6103.97 Da
- First approval
- Canada, 2017 · United States, 2015 · European Union, 2016
- Also known as
- Degludec insulin
- Code names
- NN-1250
- Brand names
Resolves to
What you can answer from here — as of June 15, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Insulin degludec, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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