Mylan has challenged a patent for Novo Nordisk’s Victoza. Additionally, several diabetes players including Lexicon, Poxel, MannKind, and Diamyd have announced clinical results before the holiday break. Below, FENIX provides contexts and insights on these news items.
Following the September 2019 Rybelsus approval, Novo Nordisk initiated a limited launch in October 2019 to specialists and high-prescribing PCPs. Even with the limited promotional support, Rybelsus appears to be off to a highly successful start, ahead of both Trulicity and Ozempic time-aligned launches. Below, FENIX has conducted a launch analysis, including early insights from NRx trends as well as an overview of both field and digital promotion materials.
A series of diabetes-related news has been observed including a new partnership between Novo Nordisk and UVA, Roche amended its agreement with Senseonics to reduce the minimum CGM volume obligation, and Lilly publishes an open letter on insulin pricing. Below, FENIX provides highlights and insights for the respective news items.
Rezolute, Inc. (formerly AntriaBio) announced topline results for the Ph1 study evaluating its ultra-long acting basal insulin (AB101). Of note, Rezolute stated that based on results from the Ph1 study, additional formulation work must be performed before advancing the program. Below, FENIX provides brief insights into AB101 and its commercial potential.
Medtronic announced it has completed the acquisition of “Klue,” a company developing behavior tracking technology to “provide real-time insights into when a person is consuming food.” Additionally, a new CT.gov record has been observed for an investigator-initiated trial evaluating Tandem’s closed-loop systems (Basal IQ and Control IQ) in T1DM patients on an SGLT2i. Below, FENIX provides thoughts on the news items including how Klue may help to enhance Medtronic’s PCL while still leaving some potential hurdles.
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.
AstraZeneca has recently updated its patient and HCP websites with new messaging for its heart failure indication based on the approval of the DECLARE CVOT. Recall, in November 2019, AZ also initiated an unbranded disease state education campaign called “Diabetes Can Break Your Heart.” Below, FENIX provides analysis of the new promotion in the context of the evolving SGLT2i HF story including the DAPA-HF indication.
Lilly announced it has entered into a new agreement with Dexcom to integrate Dexcom CGMs into Lilly’s personalized diabetes management system. Recall, Lilly and Dexcom first entered into their connected care partnership back in 2017, following Lilly’s announcement on its connected ecosystem. Below, FENIX provides potential insights into the updated Lilly/Dexcom partnership.
Tandem announced it received FDA clearance for Control IQ as the first “interoperable automated glycemic controller device” (denoted as iAGC below and previously described as “iAlgorithm” by FENIX). Notably, FDA also issued a press release regarding the approval. With Control IQ’s approval, FDA has established new special controls for the final component of interoperable systems. Dexcom’s G6 CGM was the first interoperable CGM (iCGM), and Tandem’s t:slim X2 was the first alternate controller enabled pump (ACE pump). Below, FENIX provides insights on the Control IQ approval in the context of future interoperable systems in development as well as thoughts on how JDRF’s new plea to UHC could help Tandem expand access.
Boehringer Ingelheim and Lilly announced that the Jardiance EMPERIAL-Preserved and EMPERIAL-Reduced trials failed to meet the respective primary endpoints. Recall, these trials evaluated the impact of Jardiance on the 6-minute walk test in T2DM and non-T2DM patients with HFpEF and HFrEF. Below, FENIX provides thoughts on the failed EMPERIAL studies in the context of BI/Lilly’s ongoing EMPEROR HF outcomes studies as well as readthrough to AstraZeneca, Janssen, and Lexicon.