Novo Nordisk hosted its post-Q2 ’18 earnings event in London. The format of the event was different than in past quarters. This event started with a short presentation by Novo’s CEO and was followed by a “Meet the Management” session that was not available through webcast. Below are highlights from the available presentation.
Novo Nordisk hosted its Q2 ’18 earnings call and provided updates to its diabetes and obesity portfolio. Of note, Novo disclosed it will be launching Ozempic in Europe with 3 pens (0.25mg for titration as well as 0.5 and 1.0mg for treatment) as compared to 2 pens in the US. Below, FENIX provides highlights and key insights form the call.
A Ph1 CT.gov record for a new Novo drug (NNC0113-2023; NN9023) has been observed. The compound appears to be an oral peptide for multiple reasons including the fact that it uses SNAC, the same gut delivery technology as oral semaglutide. Below, FENIX provides evidence and insight into potential MOAs of the compound.
AZ hosted their Q2 ’18 earnings call and briefly discussed their diabetes portfolio, with particular focus on Farxiga and the upcoming DECLARE CVOT results.
Lilly hosted its Q2 ’18 earnings call and provided updates on its marketed and pipeline products. Lilly announced three major pipeline updates including advancement of their QW GIP/GLP-1 agonist to Ph3 after meeting a “high bar” in Ph2 trials, filing of nasal glucagon, and discontinuation of their Ph1 GPR142 agonist. Of further interest, President of Lilly Diabetes, Enrique Conterno, indicated the median follow-up for REWIND would be ~5 years (providing an additional ~1 year for Kaplan-Meier curve separation compared to the 3.8-year median follow-up for LEADER).
Novo hosted its annual ADA analyst briefing (presentation slides), predominantly discussing oral semaglutide. Of note, Novo disclosed they are no longer conducting a large-scale CVOT for Ozempic (formerly SOUL), instead leveraging the results of both SUSTAIN 6 and PIONEER 6 between injectable and oral semaglutide. Novo senior management said they believe it will be difficult for PIONEER 6 to demonstrate CV benefit at p < 0.05 given the low number of pre-specified events will require a large reduction in the hazard ratio. Additionally, Novo stated they plan to file oral semaglutide in mid-2019. Below are highlights from the ADA analyst event including three potential scenarios for injectable and oral semaglutide CV indications.
21 major press releases featuring new data presented at ADA ’18 were observed across diabetes drugs, devices, and apps, a major increase from 9 on the first day of ADA ‘17. Below, FENIX has provided context and analysis for 14 drug-related announcements, with analysis of device and app-related announcements to follow in a separate alert.
The CT.gov record for Novo’s Ph1 stable glucagon analog study (NN9030) has been updated, and the trial is now listed as “Suspended (Evaluation of data).” Below, FENIX provides potential scenarios for the recruitment suspension.
Lilly hosted its Q1 ’18 earnings call (press release) and provided updates on its diabetes business unit. Of note, Lilly affirmed REWIND (Trulicity CVOT) topline readout is anticipated in early Q4 ’18 with full results at ADA 2019. Below are highlights from the call.
J&J hosted their pharmaceutical business review and provided commentary on the Invokana boxed warning, CANVAS/R and CREDENCE, and their pipeline dual GLP-1/glucagon agonist from Hanmi.