Nearly 3 years ago, Breakthrough T1D joined forces with Civica Rx, a non-profit pharmaceutical company, to manufacture and distribute low-cost insulins. Starting on January 1, 2026, the first of those insulins, insulin glargine-yfgn (a long-acting insulin interchangeable with Lantus®), will be available for purchase.
5 Pens, No More Than $55 – for anyone
While we have seen improvements in the affordability and accessibility of insulin in recent years, Americans who need insulin are still often required to jump through hoops to get the assistance they need to afford their insulin. Civica’s insulin is very simple: it’s no more than $55 for 5 pens, and anyone with a prescription can purchase it at a pharmacy. There are no forms to fill out, co-pay assistance programs to sign up for. It’s that simple.
This insulin is manufactured by BioCon and will be sold as Civica insulin glargine. In California, it will carry the “CalRx” brand.
Civica has shared with us that they expect broad retail availability. In the coming weeks, we look forward to sharing information on where this insulin can be purchased.
A Day 3 years in the making
Breakthrough T1D and its amazing advocates have long championed the cause of affordable insulin, tirelessly advocating across multiple fronts—including Congress, employers, health insurance companies, and pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Civica’s announcement marks another significant milestone in the journey toward insulin affordability. This development joins other encouraging progress made in recent years, such as the implementation of a $35 monthly insulin cap for Medicare recipients and the decision by the three major insulin manufacturers to lower their prices.
Despite these advances, Breakthrough T1D continues to advocate for and advance comprehensive legislation that guarantees insulin will remain accessible and affordable for all, regardless of insurance status or income level. Access to insulin is not just a policy issue—it’s a mission priority. We must continue to work to ensure that people with T1D remain healthy and well-supported as the search for cures continues.
“For people with type 1 diabetes, insulin is a lifesaving drug. Too often, the cost of insulin is a barrier that causes people to make difficult decisions between their medication and other necessities,” said Aaron J. Kowalski, Ph.D., Breakthrough T1D CEO. “The availability of Civica’s insulin glargine is a significant next step in ensuring that insulin is accessible and affordable for people with type 1 diabetes and all those who need it, regardless of their insurance status. Breakthrough T1D is proud to partner with Civica as they continue their efforts to develop affordable insulins for the diabetes community.”
More insulins are coming
Civica has not strayed from its initial goal: to sell biosimilar insulin options for the three most-prescribed insulins: glargine (Lantus®), lispro (Humalog®), and aspart (Novolog®). Aspart will be the next insulin sold by Civica and we look forward to future updates about its progress.
