A Sweet Life » Diabetes Business

Diabetes Drug Prescriptions in England Up By 40%

A Sweet Life Staff — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:36:59 +0000

The cost and number of drugs prescribed to treat diabetes in England has risen by more than 40 percent in the last five years, according to a new National Health Service (NHS) report released today.

According to Diabetes UK the NHS Information Centre has found that just over 35.5 million prescription items were dispensed in primary care units across England in 2009/10 at a cost of nearly £650 million. This is in comparison to 24.8 million items in 2004/5 at a cost of £458.6 million.

This large rise in diabetes drug prescriptions and costs is attributed equally to the increase in people with diabetes and the wider prescribing of newer and more expensive therapies.

Diamyd and Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals Agreement Receives Antitrust Clearance

A Sweet Life Staff — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 16:26:49 +0000

Diamyd Medical AB announced it has received antitrust clearance that closes the transaction announced on June 22, 2010 with Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OMJPI), a Johnson & Johnson company.

The US Federal Trade Commission’s clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Anti-Trust Improvements Act is regarding the agreement between Diamyd and OMJPI for development and world-wide commercialization of the GAD65 antigen-based therapy for the treatment and prevention of type 1 diabetes and associated conditions.

DiaMedica Initiates New Type 1 Diabetes Program

A Sweet Life Staff — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 13:18:15 +0000

DiaMedica Inc., a Canadian biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel treatments for diabetes and neurological disorders, announced the initiation of a type 1 diabetes program following the acquisition of Sanomune. The initiation of this program is based on encouraging preclinical results with DM-99, a naturally occurring protein that the company has previously shown to have clinical efficacy for type 2 diabetes. The initial results from this study, on animals, showed that DM-99 was able to reduce fasting blood glucose, an indication that new beta cells may be created or that existing beta cells are being protected.

GlaxoSmithKline Settles More Avandia Lawsuits

A Sweet Life Staff — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 18:02:20 +0000

GlaxoSmithKline Plc has settled thousands more lawsuits brought by patients alleging its Avandia diabetes drug caused heart attacks, in a move that may defuse potentially massive claims over the medicine.

According to a Reuters report, a spokeswoman for Glaxo said that consolidated cases which had been due to come to court in Philadelphia this month had been settled.

This settlement follows a separate settlement of some 700 cases last month for about $60 million.

Novo Nordisk to Stop Insulin Sales in Greece

A Sweet Life Staff — Sun, 30 May 2010 09:09:42 +0000

Novo Nordisk has decided to stop sales of its insulin product in Greece following a government decree ordering a 25% price cut in all medicines, according to a BBC report. The company, which claims it is owed 32 million dollars by the Greek state, said that such a price cut would force its business in Greece to run at a loss. The company was also concerned that the compulsory 25% reduction would have a knock-on effect since other countries use Greece as a key reference point for setting drug prices.

More than 50,000 Greeks with diabetes use Novo Nordisk’s insulin pen products.

Avandia Settlements: Glaxo Agrees to Pay $60 Million

A Sweet Life Staff — Tue, 11 May 2010 12:34:42 +0000

GlaxoSmithKline Plc agreed to pay about $60 million in the first settlements of lawsuits alleging the company’s Avandia diabetes drug causes heart attacks and strokes in some users, according to a Bloomberg report.

Glaxo agreed to resolve more than 700 Avandia suits filed by three attorneys, including Houston-based plaintiffs’ lawyer Mark Lanier and Philadelphia-based litigator Sol Weiss. The settlements come as Glaxo is set to face its first Avandia trial in state court in Philadelphia in July.
The company faces about 4,000 lawsuits that have been filed so far over the drug.

Nick Jonas and Bayer Diabetes Care Announce “Give Back. Simply Win.”

A Sweet Life Staff — Tue, 04 May 2010 16:09:04 +0000

Bayer Diabetes Care announced it would be sponsoring a new contest, “Give Back. Simply Win.” The contest is designed to reward people with diabetes for their charitable efforts. Entering the contest is simple; it is open to people with diabetes in three age categories: 6 to 12, 13 to 17 and 18+ years. Contestants can visit www.NicksSimpleWins.com and answer three questions about their charitable efforts.

A group of judges, including Nick Jonas of the Jonas Brothers, will select a winner from each of the groups. The three prize winners will meet international singing sensation Nick Jonas and Bayer will donate $5,000 to three not-for-profit charitable causes, one selected by each winner.

Where Have You Flexed?

A Sweet Life Staff — Mon, 03 May 2010 19:11:27 +0000

Novo Nordisk has announced an online insulin pen photo contest. The “Where Have You Flexed?” contest asks people who use the FlexPen to submit photos of themselves with their pen in unique locations. The grand prize winner will receive a trip for two to the Firestone Indy Lights championship in Miami on October 2 to see Charlie Kimball (the first licensed racer with diabetes) race. Second and third place submissions win exercise equipment.

Winners will be determined by a panel of judges, as well as votes from the public. Anyone (with or without diabetes) can vote on the photos for a chance to win one of five iPod Touches.

See the full press release here: http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/novonordisk/43828/

Roche Expands Diabetes Portfolio

A Sweet Life Staff — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 08:58:11 +0000

Roche announced the acquisition of Medingo Ltd., a company engaged in the development of a semi-disposable insulin patch pump.
The new Medingo Ltd. micro pump insulin delivery system consists of two parts: a semi-disposable insulin dispensing patch and a remote control, which allows for discreet personalized insulin delivery. It provides the functions of a conventional insulin pump alongside with all advantages of the innovative tubeless patch pump.

The Medingo Ltd. patch pump is not yet marketed. In a next step, production capacities will be scaled-up to prepare for global launch which is expected by 2012.

The acquisition will strengthen Roche Diabetes Care’s position in the fast growing segment of insulin delivery systems.

Sanofi-Aventis and CureMD sign $335M Deal on Diabetes Cure Development

A Sweet Life Staff — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 10:33:36 +0000

Sanofi-aventis announced that it has signed a global license agreement with CureDM Group on a novel human peptide, Pancreate™, which could restore a patients’ ability to produce insulin and other pancreatic hormones in both type 1 and type 2
diabetes. Pancreate™ is a bioactive peptide sequence of a naturally occurring human protein that has been shown in preclinical studies to stimulate the growth of new insulin producing islets in the pancreas, resulting in restoration of normal metabolic function and glucose control in the blood. The commencement of Phase I studies is planned for later this year.
Sanofi-aventis will have exclusive worldwide license to develop, manufacture and commercialize Pancreate™ and related compounds. CureDM will receive an upfront payment, as well as development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments. All such payments could reach a total of US$ 335 million. CureDM will also receive tiered royalties on worldwide product sales.