Novo Nordisk hosted its post-Q2 ’21 earnings event and provided further details on the obesity market and Wegovy launch. Below, FENIX provides an overview of the commentary from senior management beyond what was discussed during the Q2 ’21 earnings call as well as insights from the call.
AstraZeneca and Regeneron announced a collaboration for the research, development, and commercialization of small molecule compounds against the GPR75 gene to treat obesity and related comorbidities. For context, genetic mutations in GPR75 have been linked to patients having a lower BMI and experiencing a 54% lower risk of obesity than those without the mutation. According to the press release, AZ and Regeneron will evenly split the research and development costs as well as any future profits.
There have been no cardiometabolic press releases observed yet on the second day of ADA 2021. However, it appears that Novo Nordisk has recently launched the Wegovy patient website. Of note, the HCP website is not yet live as the wegovypro.com URL redirects to NovoMedLink. Below, FENIX provides an analysis of the Wegovy patient website and insights as to when to expect a DTC campaign launch.
Today, Novo Nordisk hosted an investor call following its announcement late Friday (June 4) that FDA approved 2.4mg semaglutide, branded as “Wegovy,” for the treatment of obesity. The approval was based on results from the STEP Ph3a clinical trial program which demonstrated 17% weight loss after 104 weeks with 40% of patients losing ≥20 of their body weight after 104 weeks. Importantly, Novo intends to quickly launch Wegovy starting on June 10, 2021. Below, FENIX provides a Wegovy label analysis including thoughts on Novo’s decision to launch the product in five single-use autoinjector pens.
A series of cardiometabolic-related news items have been observed: Boehringer Ingelheim and Gubra announced a research and licensing agreement for discovering and evaluating targets and innovative peptide compounds for the treatment of obesity; Diabeloop announced the integration of the Accu-Chek Insight insulin pump into the DBLG1 System; Tandem announced Jordan Pinsker from Sansum has been appointed as VP and Medical Director. Below, FENIX provides highlights and insights for the respective news items.
Novo Nordisk announced it has filed the NDA for the semaglutide 2.4mg obesity indication. Recall, Novo disclosed in October 2020 that it would be using a PRV voucher, which reduces the review to 6 months. Below, FENIX provides thoughts on the anticipated approval timeline for sema 2.4mg and readthrough to Novo’s AM833 (amylin analog) development.
A series of diabetes-related news items have been observed: Lilly invests in Protomer Technologies, a company developing novel drug therapies, including glucose-responsive insulin (view press release); Novo presents full data from the STEP 3 semaglutide obesity study at the 2020 Obesity Week conference (view press release); Lifescan hires Lisa Rose as the new Chief Marketing Officer (view press release); and CymaBay announced its GPR119 agonist will be evaluated in a T1DM hypo prevention study at Richard Pratley’s Translational Research Institute (view press release). Below, FENIX provides highlights and insights from the respective news items.
Novo Nordisk announced positive topline results for its Ph2 AM833 and Ph1 AM833+semaglutide trials, both for the treatment of obesity. Novo previously disclosed AM833 has been given the INN of “cagrilintide.” Recall, on June 12, 2020, Novo reported topline results from the final two trials in its Ph3 semaglutide obesity program (previous FENIX insight). Below, FENIX provides an overview of the topline data as well as brief thoughts on AM833 in the context of Novo’s injectable semaglutide Ph3 obesity program.
Today, two diabetes-related news items were observed: Novo reported topline results from the final semaglutide obesity Ph3a trials (STEP 2 and 3) and Bigfoot appointed Jim Malone as the company’s new CMO. Recall, Malone previously served as a Senior Medical Director for Lilly where he was responsible for the global development of Lilly insulin products and insulin delivery devices, including connected care. Below, FENIX provides context and analysis for the announcements. Medtronic-related coverage will be provided in a separate blast after their investor call.
Yesterday, Novo Nordisk announced positive results from the Ph3a STEP 4 trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of Semaglutide 2.4mg on body weight. Recall, STEP 4 is the first of the Ph3 semaglutide obesity program trials to read out. Below, FENIX provides an overview of the results as well as thoughts on potential readthrough to high-dose Ozempic.