Tag Archives: MRK

Merck Q3 ’18 Earnings Update; No BS-Glargine Discussion

Merck hosted its Q3 ’18 earnings call and only briefly discussed its diabetes business. Of note, this is the first time in recent memory that Merck has provided an accompanying slide presentation with its earnings release. Consistent with previous quarters, nearly all of the event was dedicated to Keytruda, and there was no discussion of Merck’s discontinuation of bs-glargine. Below are highlights from the call.

About The Author

Matthew Maryniak

|
President of Fenix Group International

Matthew has been a thought leader in the high-growth therapeutic areas of diabetes and cardiovascular medicine since 2006, making regular attendance at large and small CV/met scientific meetings and an architect of novel methods for assessing market opportunities. He has over a decade of experience in leading CV/met consulting engagements, is a published author in PM360 and Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics, and has been quoted in The Pink Sheet on anti-thrombotics.

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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.

About The Author

Matthew Maryniak

|
President of Fenix Group International

Matthew has been a thought leader in the high-growth therapeutic areas of diabetes and cardiovascular medicine since 2006, making regular attendance at large and small CV/met scientific meetings and an architect of novel methods for assessing market opportunities. He has over a decade of experience in leading CV/met consulting engagements, is a published author in PM360 and Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics, and has been quoted in The Pink Sheet on anti-thrombotics.

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Purchase Blast$599.00

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New ADA/EASD Guidelines Recommend GLP-1RA Over Insulin and Make Other New H2H Drug Recommendations

ADA and EASD have updated their T2DM consensus guidelines (journal publication) with notable changes to the framework of the treatment algorithm (pictured below). Now, the algorithm takes a patient-centric approach and suggests a stepwise methodology based on the highest priority for the patient (ASCVD, CKD, hypoglycemia minimization, weight loss, and cost). Importantly, the guidelines recommend the use of GLP-1RA over insulin as the first injectable therapy as well as other in-class H2H drug recommendations. Below, FENIX provides a winners-and-losers analysis, highlights of the guideline updates, and how the identified knowledge gaps may be addressed.

About The Author

Matthew Maryniak

|
President of Fenix Group International

Matthew has been a thought leader in the high-growth therapeutic areas of diabetes and cardiovascular medicine since 2006, making regular attendance at large and small CV/met scientific meetings and an architect of novel methods for assessing market opportunities. He has over a decade of experience in leading CV/met consulting engagements, is a published author in PM360 and Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics, and has been quoted in The Pink Sheet on anti-thrombotics.

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Purchase Blast$599.00

You can read the article’s full content online after purchase.

FENIX Analysis: Triplet SGLT2i+DPP-IVi+MET FDCs

A Ph1 CT.gov record evaluating a new triplet FDC of empa+lina+met XR has been observed. Below, FENIX provides further details on potential triplet FDC filings and analysis, including pricing, based on read-through from the SGLT2i+DPP-IVi FDC market.

About The Author

Matthew Maryniak

|
President of Fenix Group International

Matthew has been a thought leader in the high-growth therapeutic areas of diabetes and cardiovascular medicine since 2006, making regular attendance at large and small CV/met scientific meetings and an architect of novel methods for assessing market opportunities. He has over a decade of experience in leading CV/met consulting engagements, is a published author in PM360 and Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics, and has been quoted in The Pink Sheet on anti-thrombotics.

If you receive our email blasts, you already have an account.

Purchase Blast$599.00

You can read the article’s full content online after purchase.

New FDA SGLT2i Warning For Rare Genital Infections

FDA issued a warning for the risk of a rare genital infection (necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum aka Fournier’s gangrene) with the use of SGLT2 inhibitors. FDA is also requiring label updates for the class. According to the FDA’s warning letter, there have been 12 cases (7 males and 5 females) of Fournier’s gangrene from March 2013 to May 2018.

About The Author

Matthew Maryniak

|
President of Fenix Group International

Matthew has been a thought leader in the high-growth therapeutic areas of diabetes and cardiovascular medicine since 2006, making regular attendance at large and small CV/met scientific meetings and an architect of novel methods for assessing market opportunities. He has over a decade of experience in leading CV/met consulting engagements, is a published author in PM360 and Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics, and has been quoted in The Pink Sheet on anti-thrombotics.

If you receive our email blasts, you already have an account.

Purchase Blast$599.00

You can read the article’s full content online after purchase.

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.

About The Author

Matthew Maryniak

|
President of Fenix Group International

Matthew has been a thought leader in the high-growth therapeutic areas of diabetes and cardiovascular medicine since 2006, making regular attendance at large and small CV/met scientific meetings and an architect of novel methods for assessing market opportunities. He has over a decade of experience in leading CV/met consulting engagements, is a published author in PM360 and Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics, and has been quoted in The Pink Sheet on anti-thrombotics.

If you receive our email blasts, you already have an account.

Purchase Blast$599.00

You can read the article’s full content online after purchase.

Biocon/Mylan Glargine CRL; Biocon and Merck Q2 ’18 Earnings

Biocon hosted its CY Q2 ’19 (FY Q1 ’19) earnings call and provided an update on its biosimilar glargine development program including the CRL that was issued in early June 2018. Additionally, Merck hosted its Q2 ’18 earnings call and briefly touched on its diabetes business unit. Below, FENIX provides an overview of the calls and insight on Biocon’s glargine CRL.

About The Author

Matthew Maryniak

|
President of Fenix Group International

Matthew has been a thought leader in the high-growth therapeutic areas of diabetes and cardiovascular medicine since 2006, making regular attendance at large and small CV/met scientific meetings and an architect of novel methods for assessing market opportunities. He has over a decade of experience in leading CV/met consulting engagements, is a published author in PM360 and Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics, and has been quoted in The Pink Sheet on anti-thrombotics.

If you receive our email blasts, you already have an account.

Purchase Blast$599.00

You can read the article’s full content online after purchase.

CARMELINA CVOT Neutral; No Mention of Superiority

Boehringer Ingelheim and Lilly have announced topline results from CARMELINA, the Tradjenta CVOT, which demonstrated no increased CV risk. BI/Lilly did not discuss whether or not CARMELINA met superiority, but it is assumed the trial was neutral given results from the other DPP-IVi CVOTs. Below, FENIX provides insight into the results including implications from the pre-specified superiority testing plan.

About The Author

Matthew Maryniak

|
President of Fenix Group International

Matthew has been a thought leader in the high-growth therapeutic areas of diabetes and cardiovascular medicine since 2006, making regular attendance at large and small CV/met scientific meetings and an architect of novel methods for assessing market opportunities. He has over a decade of experience in leading CV/met consulting engagements, is a published author in PM360 and Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics, and has been quoted in The Pink Sheet on anti-thrombotics.

If you receive our email blasts, you already have an account.

Purchase Blast$599.00

You can read the article’s full content online after purchase.

Oral Semaglutide Superior to Januvia at 78 Weeks (PIONEER 3)

Novo Nordisk has announced topline results from the PIONEER 3 study demonstrating superiority in A1C and weight loss at 26 and 78 weeks for 7 and 14 mg oral semaglutide vs. 100 mg Januvia. 3 mg oral semaglutide was statistically significantly inferior to Januvia in A1C. Below, FENIX provides additional insight into oral semaglutide development based on the results from PIONEER 3.

About The Author

Matthew Maryniak

|
President of Fenix Group International

Matthew has been a thought leader in the high-growth therapeutic areas of diabetes and cardiovascular medicine since 2006, making regular attendance at large and small CV/met scientific meetings and an architect of novel methods for assessing market opportunities. He has over a decade of experience in leading CV/met consulting engagements, is a published author in PM360 and Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics, and has been quoted in The Pink Sheet on anti-thrombotics.

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Purchase Blast$599.00

You can read the article’s full content online after purchase.

Novo’s Oral Semaglutide Beats Victoza and Januvia

Novo Nordisk has announced topline results from the Ph3 PIONEER 4 (vs. 1.8mg Victoza) and PIONEER 7 (3, 7, and 14 mg oral sema dose escalation vs. Januvia) studies. Both trials met their primary outcomes (non-inferiority to Victoza and superiority to Januvia), and oral semaglutide also demonstrated statistically significant A1C and weight reduction vs. Victoza. Additionally, FENIX provides insight into a potential relationship between PIONEER 7 dose escalation and discontinuation rates observed in the reported PIONEER studies.

About The Author

Matthew Maryniak

|
President of Fenix Group International

Matthew has been a thought leader in the high-growth therapeutic areas of diabetes and cardiovascular medicine since 2006, making regular attendance at large and small CV/met scientific meetings and an architect of novel methods for assessing market opportunities. He has over a decade of experience in leading CV/met consulting engagements, is a published author in PM360 and Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics, and has been quoted in The Pink Sheet on anti-thrombotics.

If you receive our email blasts, you already have an account.

Purchase Blast$599.00

You can read the article’s full content online after purchase.