Tag Archives: Collaborations

New Ozempic “Real-World Pragmatic Study” with Anthem

Novo Nordisk and Anthem’s outcomes research subsidiary, HealthCore, announced they are working together on a “real-world pragmatic study” (called SEPRA as in SEmaglutide PRAgmatic) evaluating Ozempic vs. standard of care (defined as commercially available oral or injectable antidiabetic medication other than semaglutide). The study initiated in July 2018 and is currently recruiting patients. Below, FENIX provides insight into potential motivating factors for Novo conducting the study (e.g. pilot for an outcomes-based contract).

This content is for Read Less members only.
Register
Already a member? Log in here

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.

This content is for Read Less members only.
Register
Already a member? Log in here

Lilly Oral GLP-1RA with Chugai

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.

This content is for Read Less members only.
Register
Already a member? Log in here

Roche and Senseonics Expand Partnership

Roche announced it has expanded its partnership with Senseonics to integrate data from the Eversense CGM into Roche’s digital diabetes management solutions (mySugr app and Accu-Chek Smart Pix). According to the press release, the data integration will be available by early 2019. Interestingly, the press release does not discuss what geographies are covered in the partnership expansion. While the Roche/Senseonics commercial partnership is currently limited to Ex-US geographies (Europe, Middle East, and Africa), the expansion of their collaboration could suggest that a US partnership/acquisition is on the horizon. Below, FENIX provides thoughts on how Eversense data integration fits into both companies’ strategies.

This content is for Read Less members only.
Register
Already a member? Log in here

New Lilly Academic Collaboration to Help Compete with Novo/Oxford

Lilly and the Indiana Bioscience Research Institute (in collaboration with Indiana University School of Medicine) have partnered to create the “Lilly Diabetes Center of Excellence” (LDCE). According to the press release, the LDCE will support “cutting-edge research in diabetes, diabetic complications, and related metabolic disorders.” Lilly’s decision to create the LDCE appears to be (at least in part) driven by a need to keep up with Novo’s collaboration with The University of Oxford. Below, FENIX provides thoughts on the LDCE including a comparison with a similar program between Novo and University of Oxford.

This content is for Read Less members only.
Register
Already a member? Log in here

Livongo-Abbott Integration with Libre Pro

Livongo announced a partnership with Abbott to integrate the FreeStyle Libre Pro into the Livongo for Diabetes program. The integration with a professional (retrospective) CGM makes sense given Livongo’s focus on patient education and behavior-based treatment. Below, FENIX provides a unique perspective that the Abbott partnership could signal a limitation in Livongo’s diabetes solution.

This content is for Read Less members only.
Register
Already a member? Log in here

MannKind Partners for Pulmonary Hypertension; $MNKD up ~100%

Yesterday, MannKind announced a partnership with United Therapeutics for dry powder delivery of treprostinil (pulmonary hypertension) and another non-disclosed R&D project. MannKind will receive $45M in an upfront payment and is eligible for up to $50M in additional milestones as well as “low double-digit” royalties” for the tresprostinil development and commercialization. Since the partnership announcement, $MNKD is up ~100% (+89% on Sept 4 and an additional +10% in Sept 5 pre-market trading shown below). Interestingly, the news came 21 years after treprostinil first became available through the MiniMed 407c, a pump created in part by Al Mann.

This content is for Read Less members only.
Register
Already a member? Log in here

Novo Partners for Cross BBB Drug Delivery

Novo Nordisk has entered into an R&D collaboration with Ossianix, a Philadelphia-based R&D company. Ossianix utilizes its single domain VNAR antibody to increase drug absorption across the blood brain barrier (BBB). According to the press release, Ossianix will deliver a predefined number of therapeutic agents to Novo for the treatment of diabetes and other metabolic diseases. Below, FENIX provides context of the R&D agreement as well as thoughts on potential targets that Novo is pursuing.

This content is for Read Less members only.
Register
Already a member? Log in here

Thoughts on Merck’s Digital Diabetes App

Merck and its partner Healthy Interactions launched a newly updated unbranded digital diabetes app called Map4health. Previously, the app was available with fewer features under the name “Conversation Map.” Interestingly, the platform can be used by both patients and HCPs; however, Merck and Healthy Interactions are primarily marketing the platform to HCPs with the intent to drive patient uptake through HCP recommendations. Below, FENIX provides an overview of the app features as well as thoughts on the program.

This content is for Read Less members only.
Register
Already a member? Log in here