The first tirzepatide Ph3 obesity study (SURMOUNT-1) has been observed on CT.gov. Below, FENIX provides an overview of the trial, thoughts on the tirzepatide obesity program in the context of Novo Nordisk’s ongoing Ph3 semaglutide obesity program (STEP), and a projection of how far behind Lilly could be.
Lilly announced plans to invest $400M in its Lilly Technology Center campus in Indianapolis. The capital investment is said to include enhancements to existing manufacturing facilities that make Lilly insulin, expanding capacity for other marketed diabetes products, and initial capital investments for future medicines. Below, FENIX provides brief thoughts on Lilly’s investments including insights into which products are likely benefiting.
Novo hosted its 2019 Capital Markets Day and provided updates on the strategic direction of the company through 2025 including commercial activities and R&D strategy. Of note, Novo provided clarity on Rybelsus positioning vs. Ozempic and competitor products as well as details on novel drug delivery technologies, including two oral peptide delivery methods being developed at MIT and the semaglutide+AM833 injection device. Below, FENIX provides details and insights from the call.
Novo Nordisk and Dicerna announced a partnership for the discovery and development of RNAi therapeutics targeting liver-related cardio-metabolic diseases including T2DM, NASH, obesity, other chronic liver diseases, and rare diseases. Following the announcement, Dicerna hosted a call with investors to discuss the implications to its business. Below, FENIX provides thoughts on the Novo/Dicerna partnership, particularly in the context of Dicerna’s other existing partnerships including Lilly and Boehringer Ingelheim (separately from the BI/Lilly CV/Met alliance).
Zealand hosted its Q3 ’19 earnings call and provided updates to its diabetes business including dasiglucagon and its GLP-1/GCG dual agonist with Boehringer Ingelheim. Recall, Zealand recently completed the Ph3 pediatric program for the dasiglucagon HypoPal, which clears the way for NDA submission in Q1 ’20. Below, FENIX provides highlights and insights from the call.
Novo Nordisk hosted its post-Q3 ’19 earnings event in London. Consistent with previous quarters, the session included a brief presentation from Novo management followed by Q&A. Below, FENIX provides highlights and insights from the call including additional thoughts on Novo’s improved oral semaglutide formulation.
Sanofi hosted its Q3 ’19 earnings call and provided updates to its diabetes business unit. Importantly, Sanofi disclosed it has discontinued the development of its Ph1 GLP/GIP/GCG triple agonist (SAR441255). Of note, Q3 ’19 was the first earnings call with its new CEO, Paul Hudson. Sanofi will also be hosting a Capital Markets Day on December 10 to discuss the company strategy under new senior leadership. Below, FENIX provides highlights and insights from the call including thoughts on the future of Sanofi in the diabetes market.
Lilly has initiated a new Ph1 trial evaluating an unknown compound (LY3437943) vs. Trulicity in T2DM patients. Below, FENIX has conducted an analysis to help identify the compound and potential MOA.
AZ hosted its Q3 ’19 earnings call (press release) and provided updates to their diabetes commercial, clinical, and regulatory activities. Importantly, AZ highlighted the DECLARE US and EU approvals as well as continued HF and CKD LCM for Farxiga. Below, FENIX provides diabetes-related highlights and insights from the call.
Lilly hosted its Q3 ’19 earnings call (press release) and provided updates across its diabetes business. In a separate press release, Lilly disclosed that its current senior vice president of Lilly and president of Lilly Diabetes and Lilly USA, Enrique Conterno, will be retiring at the end of the year. Mike Mason, current SVP of Connected Care and Insulins, will succeed Conterno. During the earnings call, Lilly also highlighted Ph1 development of its triple-agonist and oral GLP-1 non-peptide agonist, Jardiance LCM, the recent positive CHMP opinion for Baqsimi, and Trulicity pricing dynamics. Below, FENIX provides context and insights from the call.