Today, Lilly hosted its 2020 Guidance and Investment Community Meeting and discussed potential key milestones for 2020. Importantly, Lilly disclosed that its tirzepatide CVOT will be conducted H2H vs. Trulicity. Below, FENIX provides highlights and insights from the call including thoughts on why a tirzepatide CVOT vs. Trulicity makes sense.
Earlier this week, Sanofi hosted its 2019 Capital Markets Day and the company disclosed plans to re-structure its diabetes and cardiovascular business. As part of the discussion, senior management entertained the idea that it would consider divesting the business and/or its assets if it found the right suitor. Below, FENIX provides analysis of companies who could potentially be interested in Sanofi’s DCV assets and why AstraZeneca, Teva, or even Viatris (Mylan/Upjohn) could be viable options.
Sanofi hosted its 2019 Capital Markets Day and outlined its new strategy including the R&D focus, which does not include diabetes or cardiovascular projects. In a separate press release, Sanofi also announced it is restructuring the deal with Regeneron for Praluent and Kevzara. Below, FENIX provides CV/Met related highlights from the CMD presentation as well as thoughts on the new direction for Sanofi’s business.
Ahead of Sanofi’s Capital Markets Day on December 10, 2019, the company issued a press release outlining its new commercial strategy and direction. As part of the new strategy, Sanofi disclosed that it is no longer pursuing commercialization of its QW GLP-1RA, efpeglenatide (in partnership with Hanmi). Tomorrow, FENIX will be providing full coverage of Sanofi’s Capital Markets Day.
The CHMP agenda for this month’s meeting (December 9-12) has been released, and it includes two notable items (potential oral semaglutide opinion and high-dose Trulicity was filed). Below, FENIX provides diabetes-related highlights and insights from the CHMP agenda.
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).
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.