Three diabetes device-related press releases were observed today including a new Biocorp/DreaMed partnership, as well as Abbott Libre and Valeritas V-Go patch pump RWE, presented at ATTD 2019. Below, FENIX provides an overview of the news as well as thoughts on how the Biocorp/DreaMed partnership appears to favor DreaMed.
Today, Abbott and Novo Nordisk announced a non-exclusive partnership to integrate insulin dosing data from Novo’s connected insulin pens into Abbott’s digital health tools compatible with the FreeStyle Libre system. Below, FENIX provides insights into the Novo/Abbott partnership.
Prior to the start of the 2019 ATTD conference, two diabetes technology-related press releases have been observed. First, Glooko announced that its cloud-storage platform will integrate with Novo Nordisk’s connected pens and Dexcom’s G6 CGM. Second, Biocorp and AgaMatrix entered into a partnership for the distribution of Biocorp’s wraparound connected pen device now called “Mallya” (formerly Easylog). Below, FENIX provides insight into the respective news including thoughts on why the remote upload feature is critical for Novo.
Medtronic hosted its CY Q4 ’18 (FY Q3 ’19) earnings call and provided brief updates to its diabetes device pipeline and commercial activities. Of note, Medtronic also announced that FDA granted Breakthrough Device Designation for its Personalized Closed Loop (PCL) insulin pump system (Breakthrough Devices Program Guidance was finalized in December 2018). Below, FENIX provides highlights from the earnings call as well as perspective why Medtronic chose to pursue Breakthrough Device Designation.
Yesterday, FDA approved the first interoperable pump through the de novo pathway and created a new pump category called “alternate controller enabled” (ACE) infusion pump. With the approval of the new class, FDA established “special controls” that must be met in order to qualify as an ACE pump, similar to Dexcom’s G6 iCGM approval in March 2018. Below, FENIX provides analysis and summary of these controls as well as thoughts on how achievable the ACE special controls are compared to the iCGM special controls.
Today, FDA approved an interoperable version of Tandem’s t:slim X2 pump under the de novo pathway for a new insulin pump class called “alternate controller enabled” or ACE. Tandem has not yet issued a press release. This designation allows for the pump to be used with different components of an integrated insulin delivery system (e.g. CGM) with future iterations using the streamlined 510(k) process. As part of the approval, FDA has created special controls to meet the standard for ACE designation (similar to how FDA approved iCGM with special controls). Below, FENIX provides thoughts on the ACE category and implications to pump, CGM, and algorithm companies.
Recently, FENIX has observed new Lilly and Novo pump trials on CT.gov. Lilly has posted a Ph3 trial for its ultra-rapid-acting insulin lispro (LY900014; URLi) for pumps in adults with T1DM called ‘PRONTO-Pump-2.’ Additionally, Novo has initiated a new Ph2 trial for Fiasp in an iLet Bionic Pancreas. Below, FENIX provides thoughts on the respective studies.
Lilly hosted its Q4 ’18 earnings call and provided brief updates to its diabetes business including its REWIND outlook, Jardiance tailwinds, URLi regulatory filing, and CAROLINA topline results. Of note, Lilly discontinued development of the Ph2 DACRA-042 compound from KeyBioscience. Below, FENIX provides highlights and analysis from the call.
BD held their Q4 ’18 earnings call and provided a brief update on their diabetes business unit. Senior management disclosed they have filed their T2DM patch pump in the US and European and anticipate a launch in late 2019. When asked by an analyst about their market approach for the T2DM patch pump, senior management commented that BD is in the process of defining their channel strategy. Furthermore, management does not anticipate any new clinical data to presented at ADA 2019.
JDRF has issued a press release criticizing UnitedHealthcare’s decision to extend Medtronic’s exclusive status for supplying insulin pumps to its covered lives. Recall, Medtronic first signed the deal with UHC in May 2016, which applied to patients 18 years of age and older. However, with FDA’s approval of the 670G pump in patients down to 7 years of age, UHC has extended the agreement to this population. Patients on existing pump therapy or patch pumps (e.g. Insulet Omnipod) are not impacted. Below, FENIX provides thoughts on UHC’s decision, the potential impact to Tandem’s pump business, and the potential irony of JDRF’s criticism.