Towards Healthcare

Diabetic Ketoacidosis Treatment Companies Strategic Expansion Initiatives

Date : 10 November 2025

Spotlight on the Companies Driving Growth in the Diabetic Ketoacidosis Treatment Market

  • Novo Nordisk A/S
  • Eli Lilly and Company
  • Sanofi
  • Biocon/Biocon Biologics
  • Baxter International Inc.
  • Fresenius Kabi
  • B. Braun Melsungen AG
  • Pfizer Inc.
  • Merck & Co., Inc.
  • Abbott Laboratories
  • Roche Diagnostics
  • Siemens Healthineers
  • Beckman Coulter (Danaher)
  • Dexcom, Inc.
  • Medtronic plc
  • Insulet Corporation
  • Smiths Medical (Becton, Dickinson & Co./BD)
  • EKF Diagnostics/Nova Biomedical
  • Ascensia Diabetes Care/Arkray

What is Diabetic Ketoacidosis Treatment?

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is an acute, potentially life-threatening complication of diabetes (most commonly type 1) characterized by hyperglycaemia, ketonaemia/ketonuria, and metabolic acidosis. The diabetic ketoacidosis treatment market covers pharmaceuticals, intravenous fluids & electrolytes, devices (point-of-care glucose/ketone/blood-gas analyzers), infusion systems, and hospital/critical-care services used to diagnose, stabilize, and manage DKA episodes. Standard care (fluid resuscitation, insulin therapy, electrolyte repletion, and supportive/critical care) drives the majority of market demand; growing complements include point-of-care ketone testing, integration of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), and protocolized care pathways.

Market Growth

The global diabetic ketoacidosis treatment market size is calculated at US$ 930.89 million in 2025, grew to US$ 971.46 million in 2026, and is projected to reach around US$ 1426.15 million by 2035. The market is expanding at a CAGR of 4.36 % between 2025 and 2034.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis Treatment Market Trends and Growth (2025)

 Companies Outlook

  • Major Investors: Large, international pharmaceutical and medical device companies are the main participants and investors in the diabetic ketoacidosis treatment market. These companies, which dominate the insulin market and make significant investments in research and development for novel formulations and delivery methods, include Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly and Company, and Sanofi. Abbott Laboratories, Pfizer, Medtronic, and Baxter International are other noteworthy organizations that are actively investing in cutting-edge DKA management solutions.

Regional Companies Insights

Key Players Making the Market Grow in Europe

Europe is expected to grow at a significant CAGR in the diabetic ketoacidosis treatment market during the forecast period led by nations like France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, because of their proactive diabetes management and robust healthcare systems. Businesses like Novo Nordisk and Sanofi, which propel advancements in insulin therapy, benefit the region. By authorizing innovations like Medtronic's insulin pumps, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) guarantees the safety of treatment.

Company Landscape

Novo Nordisk A/S

Company Overview:

Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with over 100 years of innovation in diabetes care. The company is a world leader in the diabetes and obesity segments, with a strong portfolio of insulins, GLP-1 receptor agonists, and related delivery devices.

Corporate Information (Headquarters, Year Founded, Ownership Type):

  • Headquarters: Bagsværd, Denmark
  • Year Founded: 1923 (through the merger of Nordisk Insulinlaboratorium and Novo Terapeutisk Laboratorium)
  • Ownership Type: Publicly traded company (NYSE: NVO, OMX: NOVO B), majority of voting shares held by the Novo Nordisk Foundation

History and Background:

  • Pioneered insulin production in Scandinavia in the 1920s.
  • Focused solely on diabetes care and other serious chronic diseases since its inception.
  • Has a long history of developing new and improved insulins, including monocomponent insulin and human insulin.

Key Milestones/Timeline:

  • 1923: Founding of Novo Terapeutisk Laboratorium.
  • 1985: Launch of the NovoPen, a revolutionary insulin delivery system.
  • 2000s: Introduction of modern insulin analogs (e.g., NovoLog/NovoRapid).
  • 2025 (Jan): Received FDA approval for an innovative ultra-rapid insulin analog designed to reduce DKA recovery time by up to 30% (latest reported news).

Business Overview:

  • Focused on discovering, developing, manufacturing, and marketing pharmaceutical products.
  • Core focus is on diabetes and obesity, with an increasing presence in rare blood and endocrine disorders.
  • Ambitious goal to be present and competitive in all diabetes segments and to increase its diabetes market share to more than 1/3 by 2025 (based on 2019 strategy).

Business Segments/Divisions:

  • Diabetes and Obesity Care (Largest segment, includes insulin, GLP-1, and related delivery systems)
  • Rare Disease (Includes treatments for hemophilia and growth disorders)

Geographic Presence:

  • Commercial presence in over 80 countries.
  • Production facilities globally, with major sites in Denmark, the USA, Brazil, China, and France.

Key Offerings:

  • Insulin for DKA Treatment: Rapid-acting insulins like NovoLog (Insulin Aspart) and Fiasp (Insulin Aspart injection) for acute DKA management and IV infusion.
  • Insulin Delivery Systems: Smart pens with dose memory (e.g., NovoPen 6, NovoPen Echo Plus).

End-Use Industries Served:

  • Hospitals (Dominant end-user for acute DKA treatment and IV insulin administration)
  • Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs)
  • Specialty Clinics
  • Homecare Settings (for long-term diabetes management and prevention of DKA recurrence)

Key Developments and Strategic Initiatives:

Mergers & Acquisitions: Focused on smaller, strategic acquisitions and technology collaborations in areas like digital health and cell therapy.

Partnerships & Collaborations:

May 2025: Collaborating with hospitals in Southeast Asia to train AI models to predict blood glucose and ketone readings, aiming for better DKA risk prediction.

Product Launches/Innovations:

  • 2025 (Jan): FDA approval for a new ultra-rapid insulin analog specifically aimed at accelerating glycemic control in acute hospital settings for DKA.
  • Development of once-weekly basal insulin (Insulin Icodec), expected to simplify long-term diabetes management and reduce DKA risk.
  • Capacity Expansions/Investments: Continuous high investment in global manufacturing capacity, particularly for GLP-1s and advanced insulin.
  • Regulatory Approvals: Continuous stream of approvals for next-generation insulin and delivery devices across major markets (US, EU, China).
  • Distribution channel strategy: Leveraging a vast global network, including direct sales to hospitals and partnerships with major retail and online pharmacies.

Technological Capabilities/R&D Focus:

  • Core Technologies/Patents: Advanced protein and peptide formulation technologies; smart insulin pen technology. Holds numerous patents on its proprietary insulin analogs (e.g., Fiasp, Tresiba).
  • Research & Development Infrastructure: State-of-the-art research centers globally, heavily focused on diabetes, obesity, and other chronic diseases.
  • Innovation Focus Areas: Ultra-rapid and once-weekly insulin analogs, oral protein therapies, stem cell-based treatments, and integrated digital health solutions (AI/CGM/Smart Pens).

Competitive Positioning:

  • Strengths & Differentiators:
    • Global market leader in overall diabetes care (Insulin and GLP-1).
    • Strongest and broadest portfolio of modern insulin analogs and proprietary delivery devices.
    • Significant recent innovation specifically targeting accelerated DKA resolution (ultra-rapid insulin approval in 2025).
    • Market presence & ecosystem role: A dominant force, setting standards for diabetes management protocols worldwide. Its insulin products are fundamental to DKA treatment protocols.

SWOT Analysis:

  • Strengths: Strongest diabetes portfolio; R&D leadership in next-gen insulins; excellent geographic reach.
  • Weaknesses: High dependence on the diabetes and obesity market; ongoing pressure on insulin pricing in key markets.
  • Opportunities: Expansion of ultra-rapid insulin for DKA; integration of AI and digital health into DKA prevention/management; growth in emerging markets.
  • Threats: Biosimilar competition (e.g., biosimilar insulin glargine); competitor innovation in ultra-rapid insulin; regulatory hurdles for novel therapies.

Recent News and Updates:

  • Press Releases:
    • Jan 2025: Announced FDA approval of its new ultra-rapid insulin analog, highlighting its potential to cut DKA recovery time by 30%.
    • Industry Recognitions/Awards: Consistently ranks among the top pharmaceutical innovators, particularly for its advancements in diabetes and GLP-1 therapies

Eli Lilly and Company

Company Overview:

Eli Lilly and Company is one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies, with a major historical and current focus on diabetes treatment, including the development of the first commercially available insulin. It is a key competitor in the DKA market.

Corporate Information (Headquarters, Year Founded, Ownership Type):

  • Headquarters: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
  • Year Founded: 1876
  • Ownership Type: Publicly traded company (NYSE: LLY)

History and Background:

  • Revolutionized diabetes care in 1923 by commercializing Insulin, derived from the discovery by Banting and Best.
  • Has been a pioneer in developing subsequent generations of insulin, including human insulin and modern analogs.

Key Milestones/Timeline:

  • 1923: Commercialized the first insulin product.
  • 1996: Launched Humalog (Insulin Lispro), the first rapid-acting insulin analog, which is a staple in DKA treatment.
  • 2022: Launched Lyumjev (Insulin Lispro-aabc), an ultra-rapid-acting insulin.
  • 2025 (Apr): Declared extended clinical trials for a new ultra-rapid insulin for the treatment of acute DKA episodes (latest reported news).

Business Overview:

  • Engaged in the discovery, development, manufacture, and marketing of pharmaceutical products.
  • Key therapeutic areas include Diabetes, Oncology, Immunology, Neuroscience, and others.
  • The Diabetes segment, largely driven by its insulin and GLP-1 portfolio, is a primary revenue generator.

Business Segments/Divisions:

  • Human Pharmaceuticals (Contains the Diabetes business unit, which is highly relevant to DKA treatment)
  • The company does not typically report a separate DKA-specific segment, as DKA treatment is a subset of its comprehensive Diabetes care portfolio.

Geographic Presence:

  • Products are marketed in approximately 70 countries.
  • Research and development facilities and manufacturing plants across various locations globally.

Key Offerings:

  • Insulin for DKA Treatment: Rapid-acting insulins like Humalog (Insulin Lispro) and Lyumjev (ultra-rapid-acting insulin lispro-aabc) are essential for IV infusion during DKA.
  • Other Diabetes Therapeutics: A comprehensive range of GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g., Trulicity, Mounjaro) and SGLT-2 inhibitors (e.g., Jardiance) for long-term diabetes management and DKA prevention.

End-Use Industries Served:

  • Hospitals (Critical segment, as Humalog/Lyumjev are used extensively for inpatient DKA management)
  • Specialty Clinics and Ambulatory Care Centers
  • Retail and Online Pharmacies (for maintenance therapy)

Key Developments and Strategic Initiatives:

  • Mergers & Acquisitions:

July 2021: Acquired Protomer Technologies Inc. to focus on advancing glucose-responsive insulins, a future DKA prevention/treatment technology.

  • Partnerships & Collaborations:
    • April 2025: Entered a strategic partnership to expand its next-generation ultra-rapid insulin clinical trials specifically for acute DKA management.
    • Oct 2021: Partnered with Cipla (India) to promote, sell, and distribute key diabetic medications like Humalog and Trulicity in India, expanding DKA therapy access in the Asia Pacific.
  • Product Launches/Innovations:
    • 2022: Launched Lyumjev (Insulin Lispro-aabc), a quicker-acting form of lispro, offering a faster treatment option for DKA.
    • August 2020: Introduced cost-effective unbranded insulin products (e.g., unbranded Humalog) to improve access for patients at high risk of DKA.
    • Regulatory Approvals: Continuous global approvals for its modern insulin portfolio (e.g., Humalog, Lyumjev) and new GLP-1/GIP therapies.
  • Technological Capabilities/R&D Focus:
    • Core Technologies/Patents: Holds core patents on multiple insulin analogs (e.g., Lispro, Glargine biosimilars) and multi-agonist therapies (Mounjaro).
    • Research & Development Infrastructure: Extensive R&D focus on next-generation diabetes therapeutics, including ultra-rapid insulins and once-weekly basal insulins.
    • Innovation Focus Areas: Glucose-responsive insulins, encapsulated cell therapies for T1D (through Sigilon partnership), once-weekly basal insulins (Basal Insulin-fc in pipeline, forecast for 2026 launch), and ultra-rapid insulins for acute care.

Competitive Positioning:

  • Strengths & Differentiators:
    • Historical pioneer and long-standing experience in insulin manufacturing and DKA protocols.
    • Strong portfolio featuring both traditional rapid-acting insulin (Humalog) and next-generation ultra-rapid insulin (Lyumjev).
    • Significant pipeline investment in future insulin and T1D therapies.
    • Market presence & ecosystem role: One of the two primary global suppliers of essential rapid-acting insulin for DKA management, playing a critical role in global emergency care.

SWOT Analysis:

  • Strengths: Deep legacy and expertise in diabetes; blockbusters in the GLP-1 space; highly successful rapid-acting insulin (Humalog).
  • Weaknesses: Faces intense competition in the insulin market (biosimilars, pricing pressure); has less market share than Novo Nordisk in the overall diabetes market.
  • Opportunities: Launch of ultra-rapid insulin in new DKA protocols; development of a once-weekly basal insulin; expansion of unbranded/low-cost insulin offerings to combat DKA rates.
  • Threats: Patent expiry on key insulins (e.g., Humalog); competition from other ultra-rapid insulin innovators; potential for SGLT-2 inhibitor-related DKA cases (which Lilly addresses with its DKA portfolio).

Recent News and Updates:

  • Press Releases:
    • April 2025: Publicly announced extended clinical trials for its new ultra-rapid insulin for acute DKA episodes, signaling high commitment to the acute care segment.
    • Industry Recognitions/Awards: Regularly receives recognition for its drug development success, especially in diabetes and obesity (e.g., Mounjaro/Zepbound).

Diabetic Ketoacidosis Treatment Market Value Chain Analysis

R&D

R&D for DKA treatments entails finding and evaluating new treatments in lab and animal studies, such as automated delivery systems or faster-acting insulins. The objective is to find novel, safe substances that more effectively treat acidosis, hyperglycemia, and dehydration in order to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for human testing.

Clinical Trials and Regulatory Approvals

Clinical trials (Phases I-III) in humans assess safety, efficacy, and optimal dosing compared to existing standard care. A New Drug Application (NDA), which is submitted to regulatory agencies such as the FDA for marketing approval, is based on the positive outcomes of these extensive trials. Long-term effects are tracked through post-marketing (Phase IV) surveillance.

Patient Support and Services

Sustained assistance is essential for preventing and recovering from DKA. Comprehensive patient education on "sick day rules," self-care, and home ketone monitoring is among the services offered. To prevent recurrence, an interprofessional team comprising endocrinologists, nurses, and social workers offers education on medication adherence, lifestyle modifications, and guarantees access to essential medical supplies.

Recent Developments in the Diabetic Ketoacidosis Treatment Market

  • In November 2025, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals plans to introduce an 8.4% sodium bicarbonate injection in the U.S. This generic drug addresses the body's elevated acidity levels. This month is when the company anticipates starting distribution. The medication is therapeutically comparable to that made by Abbott Laboratories. This action comes after the drug saw notable yearly sales in the U.S. market.
  • In October 2025, the expansion of its strategic partnership with Civica, Inc. (Civica) to include a new Insulin Glargine medication will benefit patients in the United States by expanding the supply of high-quality, reasonably priced insulins, according to Biocon Biologics Ltd. (BBL), a fully integrated global biosimilars company and subsidiary of Biocon Ltd.

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