14 major news items were observed over the past 2 days including Provention Bio’s teplizumab, dasiglucagon pivotal data, DECLARE and EMPA-REG subanalyses, Afrezza pediatric and fixed titration data, Tandem and Insulet hybrid-closed loop data, and more. Below, FENIX provides context and analysis for the announcements.
Novo Nordisk hosted its ADA 2019 investor event immediately following the data readout from Lilly’s REWIND CVOT. Unsurprisingly, Novo compared REWIND to LEADER and SUSTAIN 6. Of note, Novo disclosed plans to initiate its high-dose semaglutide study, SUSTAIN FORTE, in Q2 ‘19. Other topics covered during the call include semaglutide LCM, commentary on Lilly’s tirzepatide, connected pen data, QW basal insulin (LAI287), and more. Below, FENIX provides insights and highlights from the call.
In the third installment of our post-AACE 2019 promotional material coverage, FENIX has conducted an analysis of insulin promotional materials covering all of the major brands including Tresiba, Lantus/Toujeo, Basaglar, Humalog, Admelog, Afrezza as well as the basal+GLP-1 fixed-ratio combinations (Xultophy and Soliqua).
Late last week, FDA issued the final guidance on biosimilar interchangeability titled, “Considerations in Demonstrating Interchangeability With a Reference Product Guidance for Industry.” Below, FENIX provides thoughts on the FDA interchangeability guidance in the context of the insulin market.
ADA 2019 abstract and session titles are available through the ADA desktop app. According to the ADA website, full abstract text will be available Tuesday, June 4 at 5:00 pm ET.
Sanofi hosted its Q1 ’19 earnings call but only briefly discussed its diabetes business including the recent sotagliflozin T1DM CRL. Below, FENIX provides highlights and insights from the call.
Sanofi is reportedly set to lay off an undisclosed number of diabetes US sales reps starting in June 2019. Below, FENIX provides thoughts on the new layoffs in the context of increasing US pricing pressures on Sanofi’s insulin franchise as well as the recent sotagliflozin CRL.
According to Drugs@FDA, Xultophy label was updated to expand the indication for use in patients uncontrolled on OADs. Additionally, the new label also included 3 other major changes: 1) recommended starting dose, 2) clinical data from DUAL I, DUAL IV trials and 3) a caution for audible clicks. Of note, Novo did not issue a press release on this FDA approval. Below, FENIX provides an analysis of the updated Xultophy label and its impact on the injectable market segment.
Sanofi announced FDA approval of an updated Soliqua label to expand its indication to patients uncontrolled on OADs. Additionally, Soliqua stability has been extended from 14 days to 28 days (vs. 21 days for Novo’s Xultophy). Below, FENIX provides thoughts on how Sanofi will likely leverage the updated Soliqua indiction to position Soliqua as the first injectable as well as increasing Sanofi’s competitive position vs. Xultophy and Basaglar.
Today, the Senate Finance Committee held the second drug pricing hearing of 2019 (Drug Pricing in America: A Prescription for Change, Part II). Part I was held on January 29, 2019. While the Part I drug pricing hearing spent much time discussing insulin pricing, diabetes-specifically was hardly mentioned. When a specific drug was mentioned, it was most often AbbVie’s Humira. Below, FENIX provides diabetes-related highlights and insights from the hearing.