A series of cardiometabolic-related news items have been observed from Pfizer, Dexcom, Merck, AbbVie, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Gilead, and Ascletis Pharma. Below, FENIX provides highlights and insights for the respective news items.
A series of cardiometabolic-related news items has been observed: Indigo Diabetes announced the first three participants in the GLOW early feasibility study have been implanted with Indigo’s “YANG sensor” for continuous glucose, ketone, and lactate monitoring; Gilead and Novo announced the companies have expanded their clinical collaboration in NASH following positive Ph2 POC data evaluating the combination of semaglutide+cilofexor+firsocostat; Metacrine hosted its Q4 and FY ’20 earnings call and provided development updates on MET642 and MET409 in NASH; and Cytokinetics announced a secondary analysis of GALACTIC-HF will be presented at ACC 2021 (May 15-17). Below, FENIX provides highlights and insights for the respective news items.
A series of diabetes-related news items have been observed: Dicerna announced FDA accepted Lilly’s IND application for a novel, unknown cardiometabolic asset, LY3561774; Gilead and Novo Nordisk announced positive results from a Ph2 PoC trial evaluating Novo’s semaglutide in combination with Gilead’s investigational FXR agonist and/or its ACC inhibitor for the treatment of NASH; Biocorp announced the launch of its Mallya insulin connected cap in Europe via a partnership with cgmDiabet; Nemaura Medical announced its CY Q3 ’20 (FY Q2 ’21) earnings; and Diabeloop and Terumo Corporation announced a partnership for the joint development of an AID system and exclusive distribution rights in Japan. Below, FENIX provides highlights and insight for the respective news items including curious questions on the Dicerna target split between Lilly-Novo and semaglutide Ph3 combos in NASH.
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.
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.
On Friday, July 17, BMS announced (press release) that the EMA has validated BMS’s MAA for lisocabtagene maraleucel (liso-cel). Below, Celltelligence provides thoughts on Liso-cel’s MAA and the potential impact of a Liso-cel approval for Novartis and Gilead (Kite).
On Friday, June 12, Gilead announced (press release) that the European Medicine Agency (EMA) has approved the company’s Amsterdam facility for end-to-end manufacturing of Yescarta. Below, FENIX highlights the potential impact on Yescarta’s EU turn-around-time (TAT), and the effect this may have on Kymriah sales.
Yescarta sales continued to grow versus the previous quarter (Q4 2019), seemingly with little initial impact from COVID-19, in contrast to Kymriah which reported a slight dip in Q1 2020 sales (see previous FENIX insight). Below, FENIX provides thoughts on published revenues and possible factors influencing HCPs’ CAR-T prescribing preferences.
On Thursday, April 30, Gilead held their Q1 2020 earnings call (press release / financial report / slides). Of note, Yescarta sales continued to grow versus the previous quarter (Q4 2019), seemingly with little initial impact from COVID-19, in contrast to Kymriah which saw a slight dip in Q1 2020 sales. Below, FENIX provides thoughts on Gilead’s cell therapy program, particularly in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.