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Bench Brothers Research
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MannKind's Afrezza: An Expensive Failure
Jul. 14, 2015 2:02 PM ET | 51 comments | About: MannKind Corporation (MNKD), Includes: NVO, PFE, SNY
This article has been removed due to material errors of fact.
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maf1960
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•"Afrezza has a limited user base compared to most insulin products because smokers can not use it". - this is NOT an accurate statement. Please do some more DD before writing a bearish article.
14 Jul, 02:07 PM
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BoylesResearch , contributor
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Bench Brothers,
I have read some of these comments, and ,as a young contributor myself, it is important to remember these commenters are only users with keyboards and their own opinions. However, when you submit to be published you submit to the comments flying your way as well.
Congratulations on a well-written article. You are sure to get a lot of page views ($$$), as any bearish MannKind* article would. However, I sense this to be your main motive for penning this particular article. (I wish your editor would've had you clear a few things up).
You will proceed to get ripped apart in the comments to follow because there were several inaccuracies in the piece. As MNKD long, I understand you are entitled to your opinion. And I do not have to agree, but this article presents itself as a hit piece, which your readers will not take lightly.
Best of luck in the future,
Boyles
14 Jul, 02:51 PM
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elmaestro11
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The title to this article should be Mannkind Short manipulation an expensive failure.
14 Jul, 02:09 PM
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tomclong
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As a physician, I will not waste time noting the numerous inaccuracies in this article. The author clearly knows nothing about diabetes or its treatment.
14 Jul, 02:14 PM
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PengieP
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Since when was abject and total ignorance an impediment to stock manipulating bashers?
14 Jul, 02:23 PM
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troyboy
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You apparently don't understand what the rapid first spike accomplishes. Hit the books.
14 Jul, 02:15 PM
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enronexec
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Judging such a drug on one partial quarter's earnings is a complete failure of credible journalism.
14 Jul, 02:15 PM
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Domitian
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Anyone can post to Seeking Alpha. Credible Journalism is not a prerequisite to publication here.
14 Jul, 02:54 PM
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Gostem
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Maf1960 nailed it. Terrible article full of non truth statements. Another typical bear article from an author who has minimal knowledge and is on a hedgefund's payroll.
Smoking as a reason for low scripts?
Come on you can do better than that.
14 Jul, 02:16 PM
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mooseybear
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Do we have a propaganda department in the Army?
14 Jul, 02:17 PM
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PengieP
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He's unsuited as propaganda must contain SOME truth to be effective.
14 Jul, 02:25 PM
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Robert0713
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-- Do we have a propaganda department in the Army?
Of course. Not called that, of course. Military Information Support Operations
14 Jul, 02:29 PM
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ScottBonz
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Another even more serious drawback is that Afrezza can cause people to lose lung function. - Wrong Again.
14 Jul, 02:18 PM
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SA_member_23852713@example.com
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Your now on my list of "We told you so, when this baby takes off".
14 Jul, 02:20 PM
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Renee48
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I don't have the deadly consequences of sudden hypoglycemia with Afrezza that I'd have with Needles. You are an analyst for the Short Position. Worried about AL Mann's comments regarding increasing revenues over the next several quarters? I put you in the same trash can as Adam Feinstein.
No one listens to you guys anymore. Plus, many Longs bought in at $7.00s or way higher; they will not cash out and take a loss before the drug has gone global and had many quarters to prove itself as the Winner it actually is.
Buzz off!
14 Jul, 02:21 PM
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Jon Jegglie
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Can an AF "article" be far behind?
14 Jul, 02:21 PM
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MNKD_buybuybuy
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How desperate, not only is it going to be a blockbuster, but everytime you feel the need to put this drug / stock down you are validating it.
users of they drug love it.
14 Jul, 02:21 PM
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bobby1951
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Looks like you started studying Afrezza at 1:59 PM ET Jul. 14, 2015.
14 Jul, 02:22 PM
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drok87
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"Disclosure: I/we have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours."
Wow, still hoping to get in cheaper?
14 Jul, 02:24 PM
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HBDUNN6
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THERE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE TV ADDS ON THIS MANNKIND PRODUCT. HAS ANY ONE SEEN ANY ADDS?
14 Jul, 02:24 PM
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games57
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No TV ads yet, print ads sometime 3rd quarter 2015.
14 Jul, 02:33 PM
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TheeSeer
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One the worst most phony articles ever printed on Seeking Alpha.
1. No real patent here anyone can make it? Obviously the "author" knows nothing of the FDA three part approval system. A statement like that one invalidates anything this author has to say.
2. "It is strange that Sanofi would partner up with Mankind if it could possibly take away from Toujeo sales" Wow how silly is this. One is a basal morning insulin and Afrezza is a mealtime inhaled portable dry insulin.
I can't go any further because this article smells like a desperate short seller attack as the stock could not be forced lower and advertising and worldwide applications are just beginning indicating to me panic on a short that needs MNKD to be in 4's or lower and thats not going to happen so this is a last ditch phony bashing effort. My advice to this "Author" cover your short now before the Fall when you are facing a complete disaster as Afrezza takes off.
14 Jul, 02:24 PM
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daduke38
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If as you say, Afrezza can't be taken with Toujeo, you might want to let SNY know as they plan on marketing them together.
14 Jul, 02:24 PM
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bobdoc1
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Where do you get those insulin pills? This "article" is so inaccurate I don't even know where to start. So I won't.
14 Jul, 02:24 PM
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Danny Katz , contributor
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I am very skeptical on your facts. Plus, you lost all credibility when you say that type one patients won't want to change from injections "because they are used to it". Borderline insensitive
14 Jul, 02:24 PM
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DMA4
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"Afrezza has a limited user base compared to most insulin products because smokers can not use it".
This is one of your key points? The time you took to write this could have been utilized to earn far more than the penny a click or so you will make. Surprised SA would publish this garbage.
The good news is that because SA is web based, there is no paper used and thus no environmental waste produced by your drivel.
Come back in a year and see if things then are as they are now. In the meantime, go research the impact on hypoglycemia and how it impacts the long term health of people with diabetes.
14 Jul, 02:25 PM
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DauntlessDan
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Lets hear how short you are too, Bench Brothers Research, usually the end of bear/bull articles there is a disclosure......For a hit piece its slim pickings for facts just a lot of Mannkind "claims" and your matter of fact statements like this gem, "The truth is that Afrezza takes 12-15 minutes to begin working, while traditional injections require 20-30 minutes. This difference is not so big." so a 100% faster acting time is no big deal not including getting needles out and poking yourself, you must not have diabetes or know anyone that does.
14 Jul, 02:26 PM
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guatdodger
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Now I have to stop taking half of my meds because the DEMANDS a liver function test. Will it ever end?!
14 Jul, 02:26 PM
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reverselo
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Although this will be entertaining to watch longs start foaming from the mouth. Maybe this was done purely out of entertainment.
14 Jul, 02:26 PM
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promannkind
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Is this article serious or just comedy? Latnus and Mankind huh? You are in desperate need of a proofreader.
"These medication also by the way cannot be used with other insulin medications. Therefore to use Afrezza a patient would have to abandon the most widely used insulin in the world to find a new insulin brand and then also pay for Afrezza".
T1's are using Lantus and Toujeo with Afrezza. Jiminy Crickets! Have you ever heard of Sam Finta? For some reason, Toujeo and Sam come to mind as a great combination.
Please delete this whole article and try again with not a little bit but A LOT of DD research. You are making your SHORT contingent look very bad in the light.
14 Jul, 02:26 PM
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jackr39447
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Not only are you a poor speller, you really don't know much about diabetic therapy and the management of blood sugar! Afrezza was NEVER intended to replace Sanofi's Toujeo or any other long-acting insulin. You devalue Afrezza because it's and insuling "only for mealtimes." Well duh, that's what it's intended for as a matter of fact. Not only that, it has been shown to significantly reduce the AE's of long-acting insulin by reducing, if not eliminating, hypoglycemic episodes. This post is so poorly written and misleading, I too am inclined to believe you are just trying to play the market and cover your shorts!
14 Jul, 02:27 PM
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dwcarter654
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Apparently you do not have nor know anyone who is diabetic. You failed to mention that Afrezza mimics the human pancreas so the ability to avoid the mealtime spikes in sugar dramatically changes the way you control the disease. Any miscalculation on an injection resulting in a higher than need dose also subjects you to hypoglycemia which is deadly. Afrezza all but eliminates this concern. However I guess all of the current users may actually be wrong. You should really do some research before writing such an inaccurate article based on your personal assumptions.
14 Jul, 02:28 PM
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SA_member_23852713@example.com
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Man, I'm very sorry for my 3rd comment, but this is the most laughable article I have ever seen on MANNKIND (See the 2 N's) and Afrezza !!
14 Jul, 02:28 PM
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Matthew Galvano
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Thank you, this is the most nuanced negative article I have read yet. I am not an expert in this field by any means, but I do have some knowledge re: human metabolism and the ways in which insulin functions in the body.
I do think one of the major challenges faced by MNKD and Afrezza is that type 1 patients and their doctors will be reluctant to switch, as it seems a thorough cost/benefit/risk analysis shows that such a patient may benefit marginally from switching to Afrezza, while taking on some risk during the change.
The fact that smokers cannot use it is also a little disturbing, especially taking into consideration the correlation between smoking and type 2 diabetes.
That said, I am still in "hold" mode. I think that the D2C campaign will get a lot of attention and attract a lot of new patients. Whether or not it holds --- only time will tell. But I am expecting a period of growth in the next 1-2 months.
14 Jul, 02:31 PM
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joel steve
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Nice to see that the percentage of float shorted is now 44.81%. Down about 6% from last month. I hope this is as significant as I think it is!
14 Jul, 02:33 PM
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User 15547972
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Bench Brothers, you did no research for your article.
Although inhaled insulin is more attractive than needles, is it more attractive than pills? Afrezza has to compete with insulin pills and there is no reason to use one or the other.
THERE ARE NO INSULIN PILLS. Total FUD article.
14 Jul, 02:34 PM
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tomson1355
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"Afrezza has to compete with insulin pills and there is no reason to use one or the other." Insulin pills? THERE IS NO SUCH THING! I don't believe I've ever read anything as stupid as this piece. You should be embarrassed.
14 Jul, 02:34 PM
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Chemist357
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I will take it 1.25 million type I x $3,000 per year cause as you say type I should benefit the most x a pe of 15 not bad for a biotech that is a 50 billion cap company - I will have to buy more with analysis like that!!!!!!
14 Jul, 02:35 PM
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frogmaier
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exuberra was pulled from the market........
just how much of it did you have to snort
to be able to write this delusional article???
I am still TRYING to find just one statement that ANY merit.
14 Jul, 02:36 PM
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Danny Katz , contributor
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But I must give credit to the abundance of sources. Some bearish writers make stuff up out of thin air. At least your sentiment was grounded in some legitimate resource
Danny
14 Jul, 02:40 PM
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BoylesResearch , contributor
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Agreed!
14 Jul, 02:55 PM
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Fountain
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I'm a 71 year old diabetic of 60 years. I have 1) diabetic neuropathy, 2) clogged arteries, 3) kidney disfunction, 4) retinal exudates -- all of which are the effects of elevated blood sugars for 60 years. Fact: The use of Afrezza allows "non-diabetic" blood sugars. If I were eleven years of age today and used Afrezza for the next 60 years, then any 1) neuropathy, 2) heart disease, 3) kidney disfunction, or 4) eye problems I might have in 2075, WOULD NOT be attributable to diabetic caused "elevated blood sugars"! What the hell do you think that is worth to 440 million diabetics world wide?
14 Jul, 02:41 PM
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SA_member_23852713@example.com
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Please Contact LFD(FUD) or BearCrusher on how to at least try to write a BASH article, They are both pretty good at it. Seeking Alpha should take this down.
14 Jul, 02:46 PM
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FreeMkts
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Commenters give the author too much credit. Fifty comments in short order is exactly why he picked this stock to spout unsubstantiated BS. He is only pandering to an active viewer base for clicks. Chill out.
14 Jul, 02:51 PM
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Michael Chorost
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It's corrected now, but I want to remind readers that the first version of this article spelled the company's name as "Mankind" throughout. When a would-be analyst can't even spell the company's name right, he or she loses a certain credibility. There are many other errors of fact throughout, as other comments have noted. This article is not worth your time to read.
14 Jul, 02:52 PM
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crichardt13
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Simply put,this article is the most unprofessional piece of journalism I have ever read at SA. You said using needles is "no big deal'...your cavalier attitude is disgusting! My niece has type I and HATES using needles...how dare you assume you know how she feels!
14 Jul, 02:54 PM
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mikelerv
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Haaaa... Laughing here... I'm going to buy more MNKD.. This article is a bunch of hogwash.
14 Jul, 02:54 PM
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Goodchild73
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My original post apparently got deleted for having misspellings (admittedly I was openly mocking the 'author'). Shame the SA editors don't have the same policy for their contributors.
Looks like the grammar school level spelling errors were corrected, any chance the inaccuracies in the article will be as well?
How about an easy one, "Though I will concede that there are side effects with every medication, but most medications don't require a patient's breathing to be tracked for six months in case of damage."
Does this refer to all medications or just the ones that are inhaled? Because I'm pretty sure anything inhaled would be cause to keep an eye on a patient's breathing patterns afterwards.
14 Jul, 02:59 PM
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js888
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The basic premise, that you cannot take Lantus or Toujeu with another insulin, is simply incorrect. The warning cited refers to physically mixing insulins, not taking two insulins (which I and millions of diabetics do every day).
People used to draw basal and bolus insulins into a single shot, analogs can be problematic if you do that (if you want to go down that route buy premixed insulins).
There is no reason why you cannot take both Lantus and Afrezze if you wanted.
14 Jul, 03:00 PM
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c335358
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Actually..Smokers can use it if they stop smoking for 6 months...so..
14 Jul, 03:04 PM
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alim nassor
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LOL This was the most error ridden "analysis" I've ever read. You know it must have been bad for Seeking Alpha to pull it. They never seen an untruth or misrepresentation too large to publish before.
14 Jul, 03:21 PM
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liahall
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