Diabetes

Insulin degludec (Tresiba) is a cost-effective alternative to insulin glargine U100 (Lantus) for patients with diabetes, and it is also likely to be more cost-effective than 2 newly marketed basal insulin analogues, including a biosimilar.

August saw notable developments in the market for insulins in the world of endocrinology biosimilars and follow-ons: new studies showed similarity between a challenger to branded insulin glargine; price competition gained momentum; and patients, providers, and state governments signaled an urgent need for diabetes drug prices to drop.

A new paper, accepted for publication in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, describes 2 recent studies that demonstrate pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) similarity between MK-1293, an insulin glargine follow-on being developed by Merck (who funded the studies), and the originator insulin glargine (Lantus).

A recent report examined the products and projects targeting diabetes and diabetes-related complications are in the current biopharmaceutical pipeline. Our infographic details the key findings.

While the FDA appears to be taking a more active role in leveraging its position to influence drug prices, the majority of efforts to bring down pharmaceutical costs are taking place at the state level.

Price competition in the US insulin market is heating up; Novo Nordisk reported in its second-quarter earnings call that its 2018 US insulin prices could drop below 2017 levels.

Biocon’s net profits for the past quarter dropped by 51%, according to a statement made by the Bangalore-based drug manufacturer.

The emergence of biosimilar insulins may help broaden access to modern insulins, increase individualized treatment options, and reduce the cost of insulin therapy. Yet many healthcare providers may not understand the concept of biosimilarity and how biosimilar medications are similar, not identical, to their reference products.

The FDA has granted Merck’s insulin glargine (Lusduna Nexvue) tentative approval. Merck says that its follow-on basal insulin has met all required regulatory standards of clinical and nonclinical safety, efficacy, and quality for follow-on biologics.

Republican Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval yesterday signed into law the country’s strictest requirements for drug companies to show how they set prices for certain prescription drugs, with a specific focus on insulin.

The study pesented at the American Diabetes Association 77th Scientific Sessions compared Mylan/Biocon’s MYL-1501D, a proposed biosimilar to Sanofi-Aventis’ insulin glargine, with the reference product.

In order to investigate the best morning insulin therapy to improve glycemic variability in patients with type 2 diabetes, researchers from Japan compared morning injections of insulin glulisine and insulin glargine with injections of insulin lispro and insulin glargine biosimilar.