Category Archives: Uncategorized

Medtronic Recalls Guardian Connect App After Data Upload Disruptions

FDA’s medical device recalls website has been updated with a new recall alert regarding the Medtronic Guardian Connect CGM app. According to the FDA website, the recall is based on a Medtronic CareLink Personal website software update which resulted in the iOS app not automatically uploading its data to the website. Of note, the Guardian Connect app is compatible with both iOS and Android, though the recall only mentioned iOS issues. Below, FENIX provides thoughts on the Guardian Connect app recall and what it could mean for Medtronic and CGM-competitors Dexcom and Abbott.

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Diamyd’s Ph2b DIAGNODE-2 Trial Topline Results; New MicroTech Medical BGM 510(k) Clearance; Voluntis Announces €2M in Funding

A series of diabetes-related news items have been observed: Diamyd announced topline results from its Ph2b DIAGNODE-2 trial, and hosted a brief webcast to discuss the results; MicroTech received 510(k) clearance for its first BGM; and Voluntis secured €2M in financing. Below, FENIX provides highlights and insights related to the respective news items.

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Gilead Highlights No Impact of COVID-19 on Yescarta Sales; Two New LCM Initiatives for Yescarta; Q2 2020 Earnings Call Summary

On Thursday, July 30, Gilead held their Q2 2020 earnings call (press release / financial report / presentation). The company highlighted resilient Yescarta sales despite the COVID-19 pandemic, growing 11% QoQ and 37% YoY WW. Of note, Gilead highlighted the recent approval of Tecartus and ongoing LCM efforts for both approved CAR-T’s. Below Celltelligence highlights key LCM initiatives for 2021 and the significance of a synergistic authorized treatment center (ATC) onboarding protocol for Gilead.

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Medtronic to Restructure Business; Nemaura proBEAT and sugarBEAT Launch Updates

Two diabetes-related news items have been observed: yesterday, Medtronic filed a form 8-K, reporting that the company is reorganizing its current business with the intention of saving ~$450M annually (view Form 8-K) and Nemaura Medical presented at the LD 500 virtual investor conference and discussed updates to its sugarBEAT and proBEAT US and ex-US commercial plans (press release; view presentation). Below, FENIX provides insight into how the Medtronic reorganization may impact its diabetes business as well as an updated perspective on the potential impact of Nemaura’s non-invasive CGM.

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bluebird bio Highlights Ide-cel Resubmission; Q2 2020 Earnings Call

On Wednesday, August 5, bluebird bio released their Q2 2020 financial results (press release). No new data was reported; however, the company highlighted the successful resubmission of their ide-cel BLA application. Below, Celltelligence provides insights on ide-cel’s potential approval date in the EU and a possible alternative messaging strategy for the CAR-T in earlier lines of therapy.

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Thoughts on Gilead’s Recent FDA Approval for Tecartus (KTE-X19) in R/R Mantle Cell Lymphoma

On Friday, July 24, Gilead announced (press release) FDA approval of Tecartus (brexucabtagene autoleucel, formerly KTE-X19), the first and only CAR-T treatment for r/r mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). Priority review for Tecartus was based on results from the Ph2 ZUMA-2 trial; a single-arm, open-label study in which 87% of patients responded, with a 62% CR rate. Below, Celltelligence provides manufacturing insights between Yescarta/Tecartus, and how Gilead’s onboarding policy may influence competitors’ future roll-out of additional CAR-T products.

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Kymriah Sales Unaffected By COVID-19, but Ph3 Adult ALL Trial Withdrawn; Novartis Q2 2020 Earnings Update

On Tuesday, July 21, Novartis held their Q2 2020 earnings call (press release / financial report / presentation). Of note, Kymriah sales were resilient despite COVID-19, growing +103% WW QoQ and +27% WW versus Q1 2020. Interestingly, the Ph3 OBERON trial investigating Kymriah in adult ALL has been omitted from Novartis’s pipeline. Below, Celltelligence provides thoughts on Novartis’s cell therapy program, particularly surrounding the withdrawal of the Ph3 OBERON study and the ongoing risks posed by competitors, Gilead and Autolus, on Kymriah’s continued sales growth.

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Thoughts on Fate Therapeutics Updates to their CAR-T Programs in DLBCL and MM; Q1 2020 Call

On Monday, May 11, Fate Therapeutics held their Q1 2020 earnings call (press release), highlighting clinical and preclinical development updates to their pipeline, operational progress, and the recently established collaboration with Janssen for iPSC-derived CAR-NK and CAR-T assets. Below, FENIX provides thoughts on Fate’s cell therapy clinical strategy, particularly in the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic.

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Thoughts on Autolus’s Preclinical Pipeline Update; AACR II 2020 Investor Call Summary

On Thursday, June 25, Autolus held an investor call (press release / presentation), highlighting updated preclinical data from their AUTO5 (T cell lymphoma), AUTO6NG (neuroblastoma, osteosarcoma, small cell lung cancer, and melanoma), and AUTO7 (metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, mCRPC) programs. Below, Celltelligence provides thoughts on the significance of these data sets, and the potential impact that Autolus’s next-generation CAR-T products could have on treating solid tumors.

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