Did Eli Lilly just get into the insulin pump game?

from Drug Delivery Business

Dexcom said today that it inked a development deal with Eli Lilly to include its continuous glucose monitor in the insulin-maker’s connected delivery devices.

The pair plans to start clinical trials by the end of this year, adding that they hope to position the combination of their technologies as a comprehensive solution for people with diabetes.

“Lilly’s Connected Diabetes Ecosystem promises to drive a significant step forward in diabetes management. As technology converges in our industry, we believe that connected systems will become the standard of care over time,” Kevin Sayer, Dexcom president & CEO said in prepared remarks.

“By combining devices, drugs and technology, we can deliver solutions that adapt to each person’s unique needs in managing their diabetes while also providing compelling advancements for both physicians and payers.”

“The Connected Diabetes Ecosystem relies not only on Lilly’s core diabetes expertise, but also the strength of our key partners such as Dexcom,” Enrique Conterno, president of Lilly Diabetes and Lilly USA, added. “Dexcom will be an important collaborator in our mission to improve outcomes and reduce the daily burden for people with diabetes.”

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Nasal Glucagon Study in Phase 3

from Medscape, Marlene Busko

SAN DIEGO — Giving one puff of a dry glucagon powder inside the nose of an adult with type 1 diabetes who was having a moderate to severe hypoglycemic episode was easy for a caregiver to do and led to recovery within 30 minutes in almost all patients in a phase 3 study.

Specifically, the treated patients recovered from hypoglycemia within a half hour in 96% of cases, and 90% of the caregivers (typically a spouse) found the product easy to use, Elizabeth R Seaquist, MD, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, reported at the recent American Diabetes Association (ADA) 2017 Scientific Sessions.

“It is premature to comment on when the product will be available in the US,” he cautioned, but if the NDA is approved, “we are excited to bring this product to market as quickly as possible.”

"We conclude that this 3-mg dose of nasal glucagon in a needle-free, user-friendly package provides a potential alternative to currently available injectable recombinant glucagon," she said.

"It really does look like [this investigational product] could be a good alternative to [intramuscular injectable] glucagon for treating severe hypoglycemia away from a hospital setting," she reiterated to Medscape Medical News.

Read the entire report here

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Eli Lilly raised prices on 9 drugs last week

from CNBC

Humalog and Humulin (7.8 percent)

Indianapolis drug giant Eli Lilly raised list prices of nine of its medicines last week between 6 and 10 percent, according to data obtained by CNBC.

The increases, taken on May 2, were for drugs including the blood thinner Effient (9.9 percent), the psoriasis drug Taltz (6.9 percent) and the insulins Humalog and Humulin (7.8 percent).

The increases fit a pattern at Lilly and many other drugmakers of single-digit percentage hikes once or twice a year, despite political pressure and intense scrutiny of the practices. Lilly has come under fire for the price of its insulin drugs in particular, leading Senator Bernie Sanders to call for a federal investigation into collusion. Lilly and other insulin makers have denied any such activity.

Lilly confirmed the price increases in an emailed statement to CNBC, and noted the list prices "do not reflect the significant discounts and rebates that we provide to ensure patients have adequate access to our medicines."

"The net price increase that Lilly recognizes is significantly less," spokesman Mark Taylor wrote. "In fact, in 2016, the average discount to list price on our U.S. portfolio rose to 50 percent and net prices rose just 2.4 percent in the U.S."

You can read the entire article on CNBC

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Glucagon App for Caregivers

Eli Lilly has designed an app that helps caregivers to understand how to reconstitute and administer Glucagon. It's worth checking out. 

Long before we had an OmniPod insulin pump or a Dexcom CGM we managed Arden's BGs with a syringe and a little meter. One day, armed with only those tools, I tried and failed to fight the evil Chinese food monster. Shortly after the meal Arden laid sleeping in her crib, having her afternoon nap. 

In an instant things went from normal to not and Kelly and I found ourselves kneeling around Arden on the floor tending to a seizure. While Kelly was opening fast acting glucose gel, I was staring at our glucagon, incapable of recalling the steps I was taught in the Endo's office. Thankfully, the gel worked and we never needed the glucagon but you can be sure that I changed my perception that. "this could never happen to us" and taught myself how that little red kit worked the very next day.

I always suggest using outdated glucagon kits to practice with and once you have the process down, give the next one to your school nurse so they can do the same. While I don't think that an app can replace the experience holding that glass syringe in your hand and getting accustomed to how it feels, this app goes a long way toward getting you ready for the experience. 

Take it from me, if the day comes when you need glucagon... you do not want to be reading instructions.

The app is available for iOS and Android.

One year after the experience I described Arden talked about what it was like to have a seizure. I captured her candid and impromptu conversation on video. It's an old video that is somewhat sad to watch, but even though current diabetes management technology goes a long way toward stopping things like this from happening - it's very worth understanding what you are guarding against.

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My Interview with Ryan Reed

Fresh from his first NASCAR victory, 21 year old Ryan Reed sits down with me to talk about his type 1 diabetes diagnosis, racing with diabetes and what it feels like to win his first race. 

You really do not want to miss a second of my conversation with Ryan. You'll learn everything from how he reacted when a doctor told him that he couldn't drive a race car after his diagnosis, to what 190 M.P.H. feels like - and just how does he keep his blood sugar from crashing in a 150º race car?

Seriously, if you haven't tried my new podcast yet, this is definitely the week to jump in.

One your mark...

Get set...

GO! listen to the podcast

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