AstraZeneca hosted its Q4 ’19 and FY ’19 earnings call and provided updates to its diabetes business. Of note, AZ disclosed it received Fast Track designation for the development of cotadutide (dual GLP-1/GCG agonist) for the treatment of NASH. Below, FENIX provides highlights and insights from the call.
Novo Nordisk hosted its Q4 and FY 2019 earnings call and provided updates to its diabetes business, including a Rybelsus launch update as well as Ph2 topline results for its QW insulin LAI287 (now called insulin “icodec”). Below, FENIX provides highlights and insights from the call.
Two important positive CHMP opinions were received this week for Novo Nordisk’s Rybelsus and Lilly’s ultra-rapid lispro product (to be branded as Liumjev). Below, FENIX provides thoughts on the positive CHMP opinions including insight into the ongoing US FDA review of Lilly’s URLi.
CVS Health recently announced a new program called “RxZERO,” which is said to completely eliminate all out of pocket costs (OOP) for diabetes prescription drugs. According to the press release, RxZERO will provide the benefit to members “without raising costs for the plan sponsor or increasing premiums or deductibles for all plan members.” Below, FENIX provides thoughts on the RxZERO program in the context of the ongoing drug pricing debate in the US.
Lilly and Roche hosted their respective Q4 and FY 2019 earnings calls and provided updates to their respective diabetes businesses. Of note, Lilly disclosed additional information regarding the impending initiation of the tirzepatide T2DM CVOT, and Roche indicated it plans to pursue smartphone pump control. Below, FENIX provides highlights and insights from the calls including thoughts on how Lilly’s tirzepatide CVOT trial design compares to the 2008 FDA Guidance.
The CHMP agenda for this month’s meeting (January 27-30) has been released, and it includes four notable items (oral semaglutide opinion, URLi opinion, potential Forxiga lower limb amputation warning, and Xeris’s Gvoke initial filing) as well as some other items. Below, FENIX provides diabetes-related highlights and insights from the January 2020 CHMP agenda.
Novo Nordisk announced the FDA approval for the Ozempic CV protection indication while Rybelsus only received data-on-label. Recall, Novo separately filed the Ozempic and Rybelsus CV risk reduction indications as a means to mitigate the regulatory risk. Below, FENIX provides thoughts on the new Ozempic indication, insight into why the lack of a Rybelsus CV indication may not really matter in the long run, and readthrough to Lilly (REWIND) and Intarcia (ITCA-650).
On the second day of JPM 2020, FENIX has provided coverage of presentations by major diabetes manufacturers including Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Livongo, Sanofi, Insulet, Abbott, and BD. Additionally, Lilly issued a separate press release announcing the addition of Humalog Mix75/25 KwikPen and the Humalog Junior KwikPen to its insulin savings program. Further, Biocorp issued a press release noting a strengthening of the relationship with Sanofi for the Mallya connected pen solution. Below, FENIX provides a topline summary of key takeaways by company followed by more in-depth coverage.
ADA recently updated its Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes for 2020, which includes key additions across multiple drug classes. Of note, the standards now include a recommendation for initiating SGLT2i or GLP-1RA therapy in patients with ASCVD, HF, or CKD (SGLT2i only) who are already at their A1C goal. Interestingly, while the guidelines were updated to include discussion of the CANVAS/R, CREDENCE, DECLARE, REWIND, and CARMELINA trials, CAROLINA and DAPA-HF trials were not addressed. Below, FENIX provides thoughts and market implications for selected guideline updates.
Following the September 2019 Rybelsus approval, Novo Nordisk initiated a limited launch in October 2019 to specialists and high-prescribing PCPs. Even with the limited promotional support, Rybelsus appears to be off to a highly successful start, ahead of both Trulicity and Ozempic time-aligned launches. Below, FENIX has conducted a launch analysis, including early insights from NRx trends as well as an overview of both field and digital promotion materials.