Category Archives: GLP-1RA

Novo To Layoff 250 US Workers

Novo Nordisk is reportedly cutting 250 US-based jobs. The most recent round of layoffs appears to be part of the June 7 report that Novo was considering cutting 3000 jobs. Recall, on September 18, the company also announced plans to restructure its global R&D organization which included cutting 400 R&D jobs. Below, FENIX provides known details of the US job cuts and an updated headwinds/tailwinds analysis for the ongoing Novo personnel reductions.

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New Sanofi Efpeglentatide vs. Trulicity Study Initiated

A new CT.gov record for a superiority study evaluating efpeglentatide vs. Trulicity (AMPLITUDE-D) has been observed. The trial appears to be similar to Novo’s SUSTAIN 7 (Ozempic vs. Trulicity) where Ozempic was shown to be superior to Trulicity in terms of glycemic control and weight loss. Below, FENIX provides thoughts on AMPLITUDE-D and Sanofi’s potential strategy to avoid a H2H study vs. Novo’s Ozempic.

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Lilly Oral GLP-1RA with Chugai

Lilly announced it has in-licensed the global development and commercialization rights to Chugai’s non-peptidic GLP-1RA, which is ready to enter Ph1. Below, FENIX provides more details and insight on the deal, especially in the context of Novo’s oral semaglutide.

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HARMONY @ EASD: Why You, AZ, and LLY, Should Care

With the upcoming Tanzeum CVOT (HARMONY Outcomes) presentation at EASD 2018 (Tues Oct 2 at 1200pm CET) and in the context of the DECLARE topline results and EXSCEL EU label update for Bydureon (previous FENIX insight), FENIX has conducted an analysis that describes the rationale where by HARMONY Outcomes could act as a potential catalyst for AZ to conduct their next large T2DM CVOT, either as GLP-1RA+SGLT2i or GLP-1/GCG dual-agonist on SGLT2i background therapy. In conjunction, FENIX has conducted a pieces-of-the-puzzle analysis that balances the likelihood HARMONY reads out positive for superiority at EASD.

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Bydureon EU label to Include All-Cause Mortality Data from EXSCEL

AstraZeneca announced Bydureon received a positive CHMP opinion to include EXSCEL CVOT data in the EU label. Importantly, the CHMP opinion also recommends inclusion of the pre-specified all-cause mortality secondary outcome data, which demonstrated a 14% RRR. Below, FENIX provides thoughts on the CHMP opinion and insight into potential read-through to a US Bydureon label update.

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Oral Semaglutide Superior to Trulicity in Japanese Subjects (PIONEER 10)

Novo Nordisk announced positive topline results from the PIONEER 10 study evaluating oral semaglutide vs. Trulicity in Japanese T2DM patients. Below is an updated PIONEER data summary table including available data from PIONEER 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and now 10. FENIX also provides thoughts on PIONEER 10 including Novo’s potential opportunity to leverage PIONEER 10 data to model a “SUSTAIN 7-like” trial (oral sema vs. Trulicity 1.5mg) for western markets. Furthermore, PIONEER 10 will likely help Novo’s GLP-1RA market position in Japan where Victoza now trails Trulicity (discussed below).

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Novo Cuts 400 Jobs in Denmark/China and Confirms Shift in R&D Strategy

Novo Nordisk announced plans to restructure its R&D organization which includes cutting 400 R&D jobs in Denmark and China. Novo is also establishing a new BD unit in Cambridge, MA to help facilitate additional R&D collaborations. This news comes as no surprise and is consistent with FENIX’s previous insight regarding Novo’s shift in R&D strategy as evidenced by 7 external R&D collaborations/acquisitions thus far in 2018. Below, FENIX provides thoughts on Novo’s new R&D strategy.

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Oramed Oral GLP-1RA Receives IND Approval

Oramed announced FDA cleared its IND application for ORMD-0901, an oral GLP-1RA believed to be using exenatide. According to the press release, Oramed is planning to initiate a Ph1 PK study in Q3 ’18 with intentions to move into Ph2 in 2019. The Ph1 study has not yet been posted on CT.gov, but the press release said the Ph1 study will be a 4-way crossover vs. Byetta in 15 healthy subjects. Below, FENIX provides thoughts on ORMD-0901 in the context of Novo’s oral semaglutide.

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New Lilly Academic Collaboration to Help Compete with Novo/Oxford

Lilly and the Indiana Bioscience Research Institute (in collaboration with Indiana University School of Medicine) have partnered to create the “Lilly Diabetes Center of Excellence” (LDCE). According to the press release, the LDCE will support “cutting-edge research in diabetes, diabetic complications, and related metabolic disorders.” Lilly’s decision to create the LDCE appears to be (at least in part) driven by a need to keep up with Novo’s collaboration with The University of Oxford. Below, FENIX provides thoughts on the LDCE including a comparison with a similar program between Novo and University of Oxford.

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Sanofi Restructures GBUs; Stefan Oelrich Moves to Bayer

Less than 3 years after reorganizing the company into 5 Global Business Units (GBUs), Sanofi is once again restructuring the organization. Now, Sanofi is creating Primary Care and China & Emerging Markets GBUs, which will replace the Diabetes and Cardiovascular (DCV) and General Medicines & Emerging Markets (GEM) GBUs. As part of the transition, Stefan Oelrich, head of the DCV business, is leaving Sanofi to join Bayer’s Board of Management and lead its Pharmaceuticals Division. The transition is set to take effect by the beginning of 2019. Below, FENIX provides thoughts Sanofi’s reorganization with insight on the potential impact on its diabetes business.

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