Tandem Diabetes Care hosted its Q3 ’19 earnings call and provided updates to its diabetes business including the regulatory status of t:slim X2 with Control IQ (hybrid closed loop) and development status of its t:sport. Below, FENIX provides highlights and insights from the call.
Verily, Onduo, and John Hancock recently launched a novel program, called “John Hancock Aspire,” which offers life insurance to patients with diabetes. As part of the program, eligible T2DM participants will have access to Onduo’s diabetes management and coaching solution. According to the press release, Aspire life insurance will be available starting November 18, 2019. Below, FENIX provides thoughts on this new program including insight into the motivating factors for each company and the potential business model.
Today, two major news items were observed including Livongo’s new partnerships with MDLIVE and Doctor On Demand telehealth platforms as well as Roche’s appointment of Matthew Sause as CEO for its North American diagnostics group. Below, FENIX provides thoughts and insights into the Livongo and Roche announcements.
Insulet announced it has received 510(k) clearance to use Novo’s Fiasp in Insulet’s Omnipod patch pump. Recall, earlier this week, Novo announced it received FDA approval for Fiasp pump compatibility in adult patients requiring insulin therapy. Additionally, Senseonics announced that Humana will now be providing coverage for the Eversense implantable CGM system and insertion procedure (effective October 22, 2019). Below, FENIX provides brief thoughts and potential market implications for each news item.
Medtronic announced it has replaced Hooman Hakami as the head of its diabetes division with Sean Salmon, the former Senior Vice President and President of Medtronic’s Coronary and Structural Heart business. Below, FENIX provides brief thoughts on the change in Medtronic leadership and the potential impact to the diabetes business.
Novo Nordisk announced FDA approved Fiasp pump compatibility in adults with T1DM and T2DM. According to Novo, the updated label is based on data from the Onset 5 clinical trial (CT.gov record). Recall, Onset 5 demonstrated non inferiority in the primary outcome measure of change in A1C, but failed to show superiority. Below, FENIX provides context and insight surrounding the approval, including read-through to Lilly’s ultra rapid-acting insulin lispro (URLi).
Abbott and Tandem Diabetes Care announced plans to develop an integrated diabetes solution utilizing Abbott’s glucose monitoring sensors (Libre) and Tandem’s insulin delivery systems. Additionally, Livongo and VSP Vision Care announced a partnership to expand eye care outreach efforts to Livongo members with diabetes. Below, FENIX provides context and broader implications on these partnerships.
A trial has been posted on CT.gov evaluating a new Medtronic extended wear infusion set (EWIS). Recall, Medtronic recently announced it had received an IDE from FDA to initiate EWIS development. Below, FENIX provides thoughts on the trial in the context of a future infusion set/CGM combination.
A series of diabetes-related news has come out today including Sanofi’s plan to unveil its new business strategy during an Investor Day in December. Additionally, Novo Nordisk announced a partnership with Noom for a digital obesity coaching solution, and Lifescan is engaging with Willis Towers Watson to expand access to the OneTouch Reveal Plus digital platform. Below, FENIX provides thoughts and analysis for each respective news item.
Earlier in September 2019, Vifor Pharma announced the appointment of Klaus Henning Jensen as the company’s new CMO and member of the executive committee starting in January 2020. Recall, Jensen joined Sanofi in 2016 as the Head of Diabetes Development and was subsequently promoted to Head of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Development in January 2019. Below, FENIX provides insights into Jensen’s departure in the context of the ongoing leadership changes within the Sanofi organization.