Tag Archives: Announcements

Dexcom G6 Medicare Availability in Early 2019; New Data Partnership with Validic

Dexcom announced the G6 CGM will be available to Medicare patients starting early 2019. Additionally, Dexcom has entered into an agreement with Validic to integrate Dexcom CGM data into Validic’s data connectivity platform, called Validic Inform, which streams data from in-home connected devices into HCP systems. Below, FENIX provides thoughts on G6 Medicare availability as well as reasons why the Validic partnership makes sense for Dexcom.

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Tidepool to Support Loop; New Study on Insulin Variability in US Pharmacies

JDRF, ADA, and the Helmsley charitable trust awarded a grant for a study evaluating the variability of insulin potency in US pharmacies. Additionally, Tidepool recently announced a program to support the DIY Loop automated insulin-delivery project through an FDA-regulated manner. Below, FENIX provides a brief overview and thoughts on each new project, including Tidepool’s potential motivation.

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Merck Cancels Bs-glargine Agreement with Samsung

Merck has reportedly asked Samsung Bioepis to cancel their development and commercialization deal for biosimilar glargine. The report comes from a filing with the Korean stock exchange. While it remains unknown, this news may signal Merck’s intention to abandon the global commercialization of its bs-glargine. According to the filing, Merck has offered to pay $155M to Samsung to end the contract. Below, FENIX provides thoughts on potential reasons to cancel the deal as well as read-through to the other basal insulin manufacturers.

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New Intarcia CMO Fred Fiedorek

Intarcia has a new CMO according to their completely redesigned website. Fred Fiedorek has seemingly replaced Michelle Baron, and this is a big deal. Fiedorak assumes the role of Chief Medical Officer and Global Head of Regulatory Affairs at Intarcia, where he leaves Rhythm Pharmaceuticals in Boston after working on relamorelin and setmelanotide.

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HARMONY Superior; REWIND and PIONEER-6 Expectations High

Full results from the albiglutide CVOT, HARMONY Outcomes, have been published in the Lancet and were presented at EASD 2018. As somewhat of a surprise, results demonstrated a 22% RRR in the 3P-MACE primary endpoint (p=0.0006). In a press release, GSK announced the results and disclosed they are “exploring opportunities to divest this medicine to a company with the right expertise and resources to realise its full potential for patients.” Recall, FENIX recently presented a scenario highlighting a strong possibility that HARMONY could show superiority including GSK likely divesting albiglutide for its re-commercialization. Below, FENIX provides perspective on the potential market implications in a winners & losers analysis, as well as who albiglutide suitors are unlikely to be.

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Libre 2 With Real-Time Alerts/Alarms Approved in EU

Abbott announced it received CE Mark for the FreeStyle Libre 2, which now includes optional real-time alerts/alarms. Abbott said it will price Libre 2 at parity to the original Libre System and the company is planning an EU launch in the coming weeks. Abbott did not disclose its regulatory/commercial plans for the US; however, this remains a large market opportunity for the company and is anticipated in the coming months. Importantly, during Abbott’s EASD symposium, it was shown that the Libre 2 CE Mark approval includes the updated algorithm for overall 14-day accuracy at 9.5% MARD (US is 9.4%). Below, FENIX provides the key highlights and potential implications to the CGM market.

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New Novo Stem Cell Manufacturing Facility

Novo Nordisk announced plans to establish a stem cell manufacturing facility in Freemont, California. The GMP-certified facility was previously operated by Asteria Biotherapeutics and Novo has signed an agreement with the company. According to the press release, the plant will be operational in 2019 at which time, it will be used to support Novo’s clinical development programs. Below, FENIX provides thoughts on Novo’s stem cell program.

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UPDATED: Novo to Launch Connected Pens and New Connected Care Partnerships with Dexcom, Roche, and Glooko

UPDATED: Both Novo connected pens utilize NFC to transmit data. Previously, it was thought that the pens would use Bluetooth since Dexcom and Roche also use Bluetooth.

With the start of the 2018 EASD conference, Novo Nordisk announced upcoming plans to launch two connected reusable pens (NovoPen 6 and NovoPen Echo) in addition to digital health partnerships with Dexcom, Roche, and Glooko. According to the press release, Novo plans to initiate the launch of its connected pens in Q1 2019. Importantly, Novo also disclosed intentions to launch connected disposable pens “later in 2019.” Below, FENIX provides thoughts on Novo’s connected pens and new partnerships.

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UPDATED: Lilly Oral GLP-1RA with Chugai

UPDATED: FENIX has included abstract text and the associated poster (download PDF here) that was presented at ADA 2018

Lilly announced it has in-licensed the global development and commercialization rights to Chugai’s non-peptidic GLP-1RA, which is ready to enter Ph1. Below, FENIX provides more details and insight on the deal, especially in the context of Novo’s oral semaglutide. According to the press release, Chugai will receive $50M in an upfront payment and is eligible for undisclosed milestone payments as well as royalties if OWL833 is commercialized.