Insulet hosted its Q4 ’19 earnings call (press release) and provided updates to its Omnipod business including the Omnipod Horizon closed-loop system. Of note, Insulet disclosed that it has completed enrollment in the Omnipod Horizon pivotal trial and indicated its intentions to deprioritize concentrated insulin development. Below are highlights and insights from the call.
A series of diabetes-related news has been observed including an announcement that Nemaura plans to initiate a H2H study comparing its sugarBEAT CGM with a “highly successful major incumbent CGM sensor” (press release) as well as Welldoc’s new strategic partnership with Redox Inc., to integrate BlueStar with EHRs (press release). Below, FENIX provides additional highlights and insights on Nemaura’s H2H study, especially in the context of the comparative CGM used in the study.
It is being reported by Bloomberg that a series of Sanofi executives are leaving the company as “part of the broader effort to shake up Sanofi.” The four execs are said to include Dieter Weinand (EVP Primary Care), Ameet Nathwani (EVP, CMO, and Chief Digital Officer), Kathleen Tregoning (EVP External Affairs), and Dominique Carouge (EVP Business Transformation). Sanofi is anticipated to issue a press release regarding the departures later today. Below, FENIX provides brief thoughts on the continued changes in Sanofi senior leadership.
A series of diabetes-related news has been observed including an announcement that Zealand intends to acquire Valeritas’s assets (manufacturer of the V-Go insulin delivery device) as well as positive topline results from the vTv Therapeutics Ph2 Simplici-T1 study of TTP399, a novel glucokinase activator. Zealand and vTv hosted calls with investors to discuss their respective news items. Below, FENIX provides highlights and insights including thoughts on how vTv may have a difficult time finding a TTP399 Ph3 partner given the ongoing SGLT2i T1DM regulatory situation.
A series of diabetes-related news has been observed including a new 510(k) clearance for Dexcom’s G6 iCGM in non-intensive diabetes management, Dexcom G5 Mobile Class 2 Device recall, and FDA finalized its investigation into potential metformin impurities. Below, FENIX provides highlights and insights for the respective news items.
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.
Two diabetes-related news items have been observed including an announcement from Lilly that the company is donating 200k insulin pens over 3 years and Fractyl is launching its Revita DMR device in the UK. Below, FENIX provides highlights and insights from the respective news items.
On the third day of JPM 2020, there were no webcasts for any diabetes-related presentations. Separately, Tandem announced the launch of its t:slim X2 with Control IQ. Tomorrow (the final day of JPM 2020), FENIX will cover the Lexicon presentation (the only diabetes session). Below, FENIX provides brief thoughts on the Control IQ launch.
Fibrogen announced it has appointed Enrique Conterno as its new CEO. Recall, during Lilly’s Q3 ’19 earnings call, the company announced that Conterno would retire at the end of 2019 to be succeeded by Mike Mason. Below, FENIX provides brief thoughts on Conterno’s new role as the head of Fibrogen.
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.