Ascensia has announced improved Tier 2 access to Contour NEXT meters and test strips for UnitedHealthcare members. Previously, UHC’s PBM, OptumRx, only covered LifeScan’s OneTouch BGMs and test strips, excluding Contour products.
J&J announced it has received an offer from Platinum Equity to purchase LifeScan for $2.1B. According to the press release, the acceptance period for the offer ends June 15, 2018 with closing of the deal to occur by YE ’18. Below, FENIX provides insight on the potential opportunity that Platinum Equity may see for the LifeScan business.
Two new clinical trials for Lilly’s ultra-rapid-acting insulin lispro (LY900014; also called ultra-rapid lispro or “URLi” pronounced “early” [ur-lee] by Lilly at ATTD 2018), have been observed on CT.gov including a Ph1 H2H PK trial vs. Novo’s Fiasp and a Ph3 study in pumps called PRONTO-Pump.
During Day 2 of JPM, presentations ranged across both diabetes drug (Sanofi, Lilly, Lexicon, and Mylan) and device manufacturers (Dexcom, Insulet, and Roche), although Mylan and Roche did not discuss their diabetes portfolios. Below, find key takeaways from JPM followed by more in-depth coverage.
It was reported on Twitter that at ATTD 2018, Dexcom displayed a slide (pictured below) showing a representation of a smart insulin pen. Additionally, Dexcom presented information on the “fully enhanced Dexcom G6 CGM system” including “Urgent Low Soon Alerts.”
Abbott’s FreeStyle LibreLink is reportedly the first third-party iOS app to utilize Apple’s NFC technology (previously NFC use was limited to Apple Pay). The LibreLink app is believed to currently only be available in Europe, but it is assumed a US version is on the horizon.
In early January AZ announced the availability of Bydureon BCise autoinjector in US pharmacies after receiving FDA approval in Oct 2017. FENIX has conducted GLP-1RA market, pricing, and co-pay card analyses.
Sanofi has reportedly announced a round of 400 layoffs for the diabetes and cardiovascular business unit sales team. In a separate news release, it was also announced that Sanofi has appointed Dominique Carouge, former VP of Administration & Management for Global R&D, as a new EVP Head of Business Transformation.
Johnson & Johnson’s diabetes business unit is reportedly being assessed by a number of Chinese investors in a deal which could gross up to $4 billion. Potential bidders are said to include Chinese diabetes care companies such as Sinocare Inc and financial institution China Jianyin Investment Ltd (JIC).
On the first day of the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, key diabetes manufacturers including J&J, Merck, Medtronic, Abbott, and Pfizer presented regarding their commercial and R&D activities. Of note, Pfizer did not discuss their diabetes portfolio. Below, find a topline summary of key takeaways by company followed by more in-depth coverage.