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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2015 13:50:07 GMT -5
Incidentally, I told Matt that no one knows about Afrezza despite the DTC. The decreasing scripts this week are another red flag. I would not be happy but could live with it if the product failed due to poor sales but had a fighting chance with good marketing and sales force support. In other words, it failed because the patients said "No" after a fair and accurate opportunity to use it was presented by their doctors. It is failing though because nobody knows about the drug! There are 200 reps. Does that sounds like a a suitable sales team for the US? Per the new member posting as Doc Sanofi has 200 sales reps who exclusively sell Afrezza in the US. Another source provided this same number many months ago as well. In addition, Sanofi has another 1200 reps who sell both Toujeo and Afrezza. The latter sales team will have the amount of time they devote to each product vary based on a variety of factors or company initiatives going on at any given point in time. For example, very likely that during the Toujeo launch period, the 1200 rep group were told not to talk about Afrezza unless specifically asked as the focus at that point in time (could still be at this point in time too but no idea if so) was to get the word out about Toujeo. This is not meant to say Sanofi was / is neglecting Afrezza with the 1200 person sales force but that this sales group has flexibility as to how their time is allocated. At some point in the future, lets say Afrezza gets bumped up to Tier 2 on formulary and the Prior Authorization requirement goes away and that this takes place in Washington State. Sanofi in response could take all their reps in Washington state and say for a few months, have them exclusively focus on Afrezza and conversely, not talk about Toujeo unless specifically asked a question from a customer. This kind of multiple product sales force provides Rx manufacturers some nice flexibility while having their own sales representatives vs hiring an outsourced sales team. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2015 13:52:40 GMT -5
It's clear what Melissa is from her tweets. I'm reminded of variations of this old joke: A story that has been told of almost every modern celebrity beginning with President Wilson and H. G. Wells: A famous man at a charity banquet asks the beautiful young woman next to him, “Assuming that we gave the money to charity, would you sleep with me for ten thousand dollars?” After some thought she says, “Yes.” “And would you for two dollars?” “Why, what do you think I am!” “We’ve already decided that. Now we’re just haggling about price.” Note to self: Never drink hot coffee in front of my computer while reading one of Patryn's jokes. Maybe I will pick up a Surface Pro 4. |
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Post by newmnkdinvestor on Oct 9, 2015 14:00:30 GMT -5
There are 200 reps. Does that sounds like a a suitable sales team for the US? Per the new member posting as Doc Sanofi has 200 sales reps who exclusively sell Afrezza in the US. Another source provided this same number many months ago as well. In addition, Sanofi has another 1200 reps who sell both Toujeo and Afrezza. The latter sales team will have the amount of time they devote to each product vary based on a variety of factors or company initiatives going on at any given point in time. For example, very likely that during the Toujeo launch period, the 1200 rep group were told not to talk about Afrezza unless specifically asked as the focus at that point in time (could still be at this point in time too but no idea if so) was to get the word out about Toujeo. This is not meant to say Sanofi was / is neglecting Afrezza with the 1200 person sales force but that this sales group has flexibility as to how their time is allocated. At some point in the future, lets say Afrezza gets bumped up to Tier 2 on formulary and the Prior Authorization requirement goes away and that this takes place in Washington State. Sanofi in response could take all their reps in Washington state and say for a few months, have them exclusively focus on Afrezza and conversely, not talk about Toujeo unless specifically asked a question from a customer. This kind of multiple product sales force provides Rx manufacturers some nice flexibility while having their own sales representatives vs hiring an outsourced sales team. Thanks for the info. 1200 in addition to the 200 is much better. Do you feel Afrezza was back burnered until early adopters started ranting about it. That is something I think about as possibility. |
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Post by longinvstr on Oct 9, 2015 14:13:18 GMT -5
>>SNY has not mentioned Afrezza in their last two CCs and their most recent Shareholder meeting. Why would they mention Afrezza now?<<
I imagine the recent JAC discussions to go something like this.
SNY: As you know, we've had a change of leadership. Please be assured that our new leadership is just as committed and enthusiastic about Afrezza as were those who signed the agreement with you. You are also probably aware that we have initiated a complete top-to-bottom reevaluation and re-positioning of ALL our products. Some existing product lines will be sold. 2016 represents a new start for ALL of Sanofi's products and each division will see comprehensive "refreshment." Mrs. Witz is very excited to have been offered the opportunity to embrace the novel, game-changing product that Afrezza represents. However, we need to ask for your patience as we sort thru the complete remake of our company. We also feel it is advantageous to defer large-scale capital expenditures on advertising/marketing until such time as adoption curbs are mitigated. These include: insurance coverage, better understanding/dissemination of Afrezza dosage to BC outcomes (even we are surprised by its efficacy), eventual label changes and the need to address Endo/GP inertia, and ignorance, frankly, over how different Afrezza is from ALL other insulin's previously available.
We share your vision of its eventual category leading status. Understand too, that with drugs we've developed in-house, our sales/marketing people begin preliminary strategic plans for its launch at the time of FDA trial submissions. In this context, we are ahead of our traditional curve in terms of product launch cycle. We are empathetic to the potential frustration that you, the management, Mr Mann and the other shareholders may have with current market penetration. However, we have learned much from Afrezza's short time in market and are quickly adjusting identified headwinds. Early in 2016, I think you'll be very pleased by the demonstration of our partnership commitment as evidenced by a much more comprehensive DTC campaign in print and, I'm pleased to report, TV.
MNKD: You're right. It has been difficult to watch. We expected a much steeper adoption curve for a product we know to be a winner. It has been hard to not address the concerns expressed by our shareholders. As you may know, we believe there are many who would like to see Afrezza and MNKD fail. Some may even be employing fraudulent practices to effectuate that end but, we believe we have the resources to withstand the assault. We trust you no less than we did the day we signed the agreement and see logic in the approach you have adopted. Good luck with the remaking of Sanofi and we certainly look forward to working with Ms. Witz and a more aggressive approach in 2016 to taking Afrezza to market.
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Post by obamayoumama on Oct 9, 2015 14:24:45 GMT -5
"Sanofi rep visited w/ me this week - said Afrezza will now be marketed by people other than Sanofi reps. I asked about NRx data - although the rep didn't name numbers, the rep's facial expression said it all - and that the biggest b arrier for people writing Afrezza was the PFTs that have to be performed before prescribing - this was a larger issue than most had believed it would be. Long-term will Afrezza do well? Likely, if it's affordable. 1. I don't think the PFT is as big a barrier as Sanofi would like to believe. 2. Its all about the affordability. Insurance companies need to cover this in order for doctors to feel comfortable prescribing it and people considering it! Take the time to listen again to Matt at 5:10+ mark on the Aegis Conference call. He mentions getting SNY insulin approved for Afrezza and getting label enhancing studies done next year. Sounds like AF is wrong about SNY pulling the plug on Afrezza if they are making plans for next year! |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2015 14:29:48 GMT -5
Per the new member posting as Doc Sanofi has 200 sales reps who exclusively sell Afrezza in the US. Another source provided this same number many months ago as well. In addition, Sanofi has another 1200 reps who sell both Toujeo and Afrezza. The latter sales team will have the amount of time they devote to each product vary based on a variety of factors or company initiatives going on at any given point in time. For example, very likely that during the Toujeo launch period, the 1200 rep group were told not to talk about Afrezza unless specifically asked as the focus at that point in time (could still be at this point in time too but no idea if so) was to get the word out about Toujeo. This is not meant to say Sanofi was / is neglecting Afrezza with the 1200 person sales force but that this sales group has flexibility as to how their time is allocated. At some point in the future, lets say Afrezza gets bumped up to Tier 2 on formulary and the Prior Authorization requirement goes away and that this takes place in Washington State. Sanofi in response could take all their reps in Washington state and say for a few months, have them exclusively focus on Afrezza and conversely, not talk about Toujeo unless specifically asked a question from a customer. This kind of multiple product sales force provides Rx manufacturers some nice flexibility while having their own sales representatives vs hiring an outsourced sales team. Thanks for the info. 1200 in addition to the 200 is much better. Do you feel Afrezza was back burnered until early adopters started ranting about it. That is something I think about as possibility. As I have expressed I think week over week growth in NRx should be steady at this point and while I would like it to be as high as possible, consistent 2-4% growth through the end of 2015 would satisfy me. I think that the level of success patients had with Afrezza floored everyone except Al Mann. What could be happening now is that a core group of physicians writing Afrezza getting a small but critical group of patients having results like Afrezzauser while further strengthening Afrezza's miracle drug status among the doctors writing for Afrezza. There is no way Sanofi's sales team is going all out on Afrezza right now. Rx counts demonstrate this. Not sure it is being explicitly back burnered but I don't think Sanofi management has taken the whip to their salesteam. I think the combination of formulary tier position (which translates into high out of pocket $$ for patients), the fact that Afrezza is so different than the RAAs (meaning doctors need time to learn about and trust Afrezza) and the Spirometry all combine to make for a much harder task than Sanofi bargained for but maybe they knew what the challenge would be and are pacing themselves accordingly. If all of these barriers were eliminated and Afrezza got Ultra rapid acting designation, then all out efforts of the salesforce would be rewarded with commensurate sales. As we sit today, all out efforts of the sales team would not generate commensurate sales returns and likely, with all the hassles of Prior Authorization, would likely upset doctors, their office staff, patients and insurance companies. In some respects, I think Sanofi knows exactly what they are doing and in other respects, I think they are struggling. One thing I know for sure, there is no other product like Afrezza and there are a lot of very powerful forces that would like to see it fail. Afrezza has the potential to take hundreds of billions of dollars of costs out of the healthcare system which means a lot of people could lose their jobs and the market capitalization of some very large companies could be adversely impacted. There is no one on the other side of the trade that thought Al Mann & Mannkind would have withstood beating that they have. Sanofi needs to take some of the ingenuity and innovation that went into creating Afrezza and come up with some new ways to market it and I believe something that talks about the results patients are achieving using Afrezza would work but that would take pushing the envelop a bit. There was a recent court ruling that stated something along the lines of Rx manufacturers can say things they believe are true. With diabetes being one of the if not the most prolific and costly chronic diseases in our country, I would think at some point, Sanofi stands up and says we have a miracle drug than can help millions, save billions and start to get some swagger. Products like Afrezza come around once in a lifetime. |
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Post by kdaddyfresh2000 on Oct 9, 2015 14:37:40 GMT -5
"You're right, your post was not a comprehensive analysis, it was simply a negative aspersion
If you are in fact seeking some factual input, discussion and counter-arguments, then why not begin with cfeld's very well presented exposition of the strategy behind marketing, as well as the numerous posts stating, re-emphasizing and re-iterating the tactical and logical reasons for why Afrezza has not yet gone gangbusters. Such continuous re-posting of these same ideas, mind you, is having to respond to the incessant soft bashing which appears to simply ignore this valuable information. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt here, and assume you've read none of these insights, as well as the numerous links that have been provided in this forum describing modern drug launches
So you believe in Al Mann and in Afrezza itself, but it's SNY's execution that has you concerned. But isn't it SNY's execution (or lack thereof) that will determine the success in your investment and not whether Al Mann is a genius or Afrezza works astoundingly well?! So how does your belief in these two counter your SNY concern? This isn't a long thesis.
Layoffs, flat scripts and Matt's comments? Again, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that you are truly seeking information here and you haven't actually been following things too closely. (1) Layoffs - Last summer, MNKD partnered with SNY to launch Afrezza. With regard to Afrezza, MNKD is simply a manufacturing company. Are you really suggesting MNKD maintain staffing positions for functions it no longer requires? As a long myself, I'd actually prefer them to eliminate those positions. (2) Flat scripts - If you spend some time reviewing this forum, you'll understand that there are a few things that SNY needs to accomplish prior to an all-out push for Afrezza, not the least of which is (i) Tier 2 designation, (ii) improved labeling and (iii) dovetailing with its Lantus replacement in a cohesive marketing strategy. None of these three issues could have been accomplished prior to launch by their very definition. I can't think of a more efficient and effective way for SNY to do unburdened clinical research than seeking out the feedback and experience of a select number of doctors, which feedback will greatly assist in (i), (ii) and (iii), above. So, maybe, just maybe, having few dozen physicians, and a few dozen only, actively prescribing Afrezza (for the reasons above) could be the reason scripts are flat. Or, I could take your position and assume the flat scripts are because of SNY's lack of execution. (3) Matt's comments - again, if you review this forum, the MNKD-SNY agreement and research a little into the investment world, you'll see that Matt is somewhat hamstrung by what he can and cannot say. This is a special burden for MNKD as they've been burned once in trying to be overly informative.
Melissa - OK. I can't debate with you there. You believe her, I don't know her from Adam. I guess it's plausible that she has the complete inside scoop that institutional investors are missing.
I did not say to "dump the stock" if you're "not happy." You're trying to put words in my mouth, a very bad habit of some posters here. I said "dump the stock" if you believe Melissa (you do), believe mrcoleslaw (you may or may not) and if you believe there is little or no SNY commitment (you believe that as well). In other words, dump the stock if your long thesis no longer holds. Contrary to being "a clever way to squash legitimate discussion," it is probably one of the greatest truisms a successful investor can embrace.
So, this board is full of factual input if you can wade through the soft bashing and there are legitimate reasons for where Afrezza is at this stage. If these things support your long thesis, then stay long. If you believe Melissa and don't believe in SNY's commitment, then dump it. But whatever you do, I'm begging you not to (no matter how subtle you may think you are) tout your "longness" and then rehash every innuendo you can think of to bash the stock, management, partner, etc. It's unbecoming."
We are arguing in circles and I agree to disagree with you. I have said what I wanted to say. I am staying long but I will continue to scrutinize what SNY and MNKD are doing. Good luck to you.
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Post by me on Oct 9, 2015 15:20:32 GMT -5
"You're right, your post was not a comprehensive analysis, it was simply a negative aspersion If you are in fact seeking some factual input, discussion and counter-arguments, then why not begin with cfeld's very well presented exposition of the strategy behind marketing, as well as the numerous posts stating, re-emphasizing and re-iterating the tactical and logical reasons for why Afrezza has not yet gone gangbusters. Such continuous re-posting of these same ideas, mind you, is having to respond to the incessant soft bashing which appears to simply ignore this valuable information. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt here, and assume you've read none of these insights, as well as the numerous links that have been provided in this forum describing modern drug launches So you believe in Al Mann and in Afrezza itself, but it's SNY's execution that has you concerned. But isn't it SNY's execution (or lack thereof) that will determine the success in your investment and not whether Al Mann is a genius or Afrezza works astoundingly well?! So how does your belief in these two counter your SNY concern? This isn't a long thesis. Layoffs, flat scripts and Matt's comments? Again, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that you are truly seeking information here and you haven't actually been following things too closely. (1) Layoffs - Last summer, MNKD partnered with SNY to launch Afrezza. With regard to Afrezza, MNKD is simply a manufacturing company. Are you really suggesting MNKD maintain staffing positions for functions it no longer requires? As a long myself, I'd actually prefer them to eliminate those positions. (2) Flat scripts - If you spend some time reviewing this forum, you'll understand that there are a few things that SNY needs to accomplish prior to an all-out push for Afrezza, not the least of which is (i) Tier 2 designation, (ii) improved labeling and (iii) dovetailing with its Lantus replacement in a cohesive marketing strategy. None of these three issues could have been accomplished prior to launch by their very definition. I can't think of a more efficient and effective way for SNY to do unburdened clinical research than seeking out the feedback and experience of a select number of doctors, which feedback will greatly assist in (i), (ii) and (iii), above. So, maybe, just maybe, having few dozen physicians, and a few dozen only, actively prescribing Afrezza (for the reasons above) could be the reason scripts are flat. Or, I could take your position and assume the flat scripts are because of SNY's lack of execution. (3) Matt's comments - again, if you review this forum, the MNKD-SNY agreement and research a little into the investment world, you'll see that Matt is somewhat hamstrung by what he can and cannot say. This is a special burden for MNKD as they've been burned once in trying to be overly informative. Melissa - OK. I can't debate with you there. You believe her, I don't know her from Adam. I guess it's plausible that she has the complete inside scoop that institutional investors are missing. I did not say to "dump the stock" if you're "not happy." You're trying to put words in my mouth, a very bad habit of some posters here. I said "dump the stock" if you believe Melissa (you do), believe mrcoleslaw (you may or may not) and if you believe there is little or no SNY commitment (you believe that as well). In other words, dump the stock if your long thesis no longer holds. Contrary to being "a clever way to squash legitimate discussion," it is probably one of the greatest truisms a successful investor can embrace. So, this board is full of factual input if you can wade through the soft bashing and there are legitimate reasons for where Afrezza is at this stage. If these things support your long thesis, then stay long. If you believe Melissa and don't believe in SNY's commitment, then dump it. But whatever you do, I'm begging you not to (no matter how subtle you may think you are) tout your "longness" and then rehash every innuendo you can think of to bash the stock, management, partner, etc. It's unbecoming." We are arguing in circles and I agree to disagree with you. I have said what I wanted to say. I am staying long but I will continue to scrutinize what SNY and MNKD are doing. Good luck to you. Actually, we are not arguing in circles. I made 2 very specific points in my discussion that you now refuse to address. I really thought you were interested in "factual input, discussion and counter-arguments," your words, not mine. My points were that (i) your proposed long thesis of Mann/Afrezza coupled with lack of SNY commitment doesn't equate to a long thesis and I was seeking an elucidation on that point, and (ii) the explanations for the layoffs, flat scripts and Matt's comments (or lack thereof) were all reasonably consistent with a long thesis, so why would you imply these are necessarily some dark cloud following MNKD around? You can choose to not continue in this discussion, as it's a free world. But if you're going to default to, "let's have a debate here," whenever you get pushback, then let's have a debate. Saying, "I have said what I wanted to say," without engaging my specific questions does not do that. Geesh, what is it with Columba livia domestica and an 8 x 8 grid? |
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Post by kdaddyfresh2000 on Oct 9, 2015 16:11:19 GMT -5
"You're right, your post was not a comprehensive analysis, it was simply a negative aspersion If you are in fact seeking some factual input, discussion and counter-arguments, then why not begin with cfeld's very well presented exposition of the strategy behind marketing, as well as the numerous posts stating, re-emphasizing and re-iterating the tactical and logical reasons for why Afrezza has not yet gone gangbusters. Such continuous re-posting of these same ideas, mind you, is having to respond to the incessant soft bashing which appears to simply ignore this valuable information. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt here, and assume you've read none of these insights, as well as the numerous links that have been provided in this forum describing modern drug launches So you believe in Al Mann and in Afrezza itself, but it's SNY's execution that has you concerned. But isn't it SNY's execution (or lack thereof) that will determine the success in your investment and not whether Al Mann is a genius or Afrezza works astoundingly well?! So how does your belief in these two counter your SNY concern? This isn't a long thesis. Layoffs, flat scripts and Matt's comments? Again, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that you are truly seeking information here and you haven't actually been following things too closely. (1) Layoffs - Last summer, MNKD partnered with SNY to launch Afrezza. With regard to Afrezza, MNKD is simply a manufacturing company. Are you really suggesting MNKD maintain staffing positions for functions it no longer requires? As a long myself, I'd actually prefer them to eliminate those positions. (2) Flat scripts - If you spend some time reviewing this forum, you'll understand that there are a few things that SNY needs to accomplish prior to an all-out push for Afrezza, not the least of which is (i) Tier 2 designation, (ii) improved labeling and (iii) dovetailing with its Lantus replacement in a cohesive marketing strategy. None of these three issues could have been accomplished prior to launch by their very definition. I can't think of a more efficient and effective way for SNY to do unburdened clinical research than seeking out the feedback and experience of a select number of doctors, which feedback will greatly assist in (i), (ii) and (iii), above. So, maybe, just maybe, having few dozen physicians, and a few dozen only, actively prescribing Afrezza (for the reasons above) could be the reason scripts are flat. Or, I could take your position and assume the flat scripts are because of SNY's lack of execution. (3) Matt's comments - again, if you review this forum, the MNKD-SNY agreement and research a little into the investment world, you'll see that Matt is somewhat hamstrung by what he can and cannot say. This is a special burden for MNKD as they've been burned once in trying to be overly informative. Melissa - OK. I can't debate with you there. You believe her, I don't know her from Adam. I guess it's plausible that she has the complete inside scoop that institutional investors are missing. I did not say to "dump the stock" if you're "not happy." You're trying to put words in my mouth, a very bad habit of some posters here. I said "dump the stock" if you believe Melissa (you do), believe mrcoleslaw (you may or may not) and if you believe there is little or no SNY commitment (you believe that as well). In other words, dump the stock if your long thesis no longer holds. Contrary to being "a clever way to squash legitimate discussion," it is probably one of the greatest truisms a successful investor can embrace. So, this board is full of factual input if you can wade through the soft bashing and there are legitimate reasons for where Afrezza is at this stage. If these things support your long thesis, then stay long. If you believe Melissa and don't believe in SNY's commitment, then dump it. But whatever you do, I'm begging you not to (no matter how subtle you may think you are) tout your "longness" and then rehash every innuendo you can think of to bash the stock, management, partner, etc. It's unbecoming." We are arguing in circles and I agree to disagree with you. I have said what I wanted to say. I am staying long but I will continue to scrutinize what SNY and MNKD are doing. Good luck to you. Actually, we are not arguing in circles. I made 2 very specific points in my discussion that you now refuse to address. I really thought you were interested in "factual input, discussion and counter-arguments," your words, not mine. My points were that (i) your proposed long thesis of Mann/Afrezza coupled with lack of SNY commitment doesn't equate to a long thesis and I was seeking an elucidation on that point, and (ii) the explanations for the layoffs, flat scripts and Matt's comments (or lack thereof) were all reasonably consistent with a long thesis, so why would you imply these are necessarily some dark cloud following MNKD around? You can choose to not continue in this discussion, as it's a free world. But if you're going to default to, "let's have a debate here," whenever you get pushback, then let's have a debate. Saying, "I have said what I wanted to say," without engaging my specific questions does not at would do that. Geesh, what is it with Columba livia domestica and an 8 x 8 grid? OK. The debate was devolving into accusiatiions of me engaging in innuendo and casting aspersions when I did neither but raised valid points that I listed. I am aware of your counter-arguments you listed but I am becoming skeptical of the arguments supporting the slow-launch rationale as we are 9 months into the launch with 4 months stuck at 500 scripts and very little word on increased insurance coverage (hence SNY subsidizing Tier 3 per Matt's comments yesterday.). Mind you, the slow launch arguments are not what Matt himself is using anymore. Again, he says script uptake is slower than expected. (1). My long thesis is follows the Warren Buffett corollary, "Pick the stock of a company an idiot could run, because someday it will happen." Now are MNKD/SNY mgmt idiots? No, of course not. However, I think the point Buffett was making was that a great product can survive poor mgmt/poor launch/poor marketing etc. I think Afrezza is such a great product and I think it will (eventually) make it into the hands of patients and become some shade of successful on some unknown timeline. My concern is that I prefer not to test this corollary out but may have to anyway if things don't change. Nevertheless, I mentioned before I am long because I believe SNY is trying to turn the ship around. (2). We will agree to disagree on layoff significance. I am not entirely convinced it was solely due to "right-sizing" but I am hoping you are right. It will certainly be good for cash flow burn rate in any event. Regarding scripts and Matt's being hamstrung on speaking about scripts, Matt did speak. He spoke on the issue of scripts and he said there was slow uptake. Period. There is no way fit those words into the slow launch rationale I keep hearing. In other words, even if there was a calculated slow launch, the uptake is still below those expectations. |
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Post by prosper on Oct 9, 2015 16:30:23 GMT -5
I think these comments regarding Minimed should be a good topic for further historical research. What analogies could be drawn re roll out history and pps?
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Post by bioexec25 on Oct 9, 2015 16:55:05 GMT -5
You are exactly right. There seems to be some after the fact analysis that SNY and MNKD had planned this 'controlled marketing plan' all along, but Matt's negative comments clearly indicates that was never true. The marketing has been a debacle and frankly I have no faith that SNY and MNKD will suddenly get it right. The best he could come up with was there are 'rumors' about TV ads. At this point, I wouldn't be surprised to see either MNKD or SBY abandon the partnership in January. Recently, I googled Exubera DTC marketing and found that they faced many of the exact same issues that Afrezza has, such as the lung test issues, black box warnings and insurance coverage. It seems to me that SNY learned nothing from Pfizer's previous failure. Of course, the primary differences are the size of the delivery device,less hypos, and social media(which really wasn't around in 2007). In fact, as bad as the script numbers are, where the hell would we be if twitter wasn't around. Maybe so rvc we nobody here knows definitively. To your comment on where we would be without social media, it is exactly to the point Sny marketing VP has already gone on record to say that it is much more a part of their arsenal than in the past and that it not only saves them time and money but with appropriate therapeutics it really is complementary as they build the base before using more traditional scatter gun expensive channels. I don't have the link but perhaps some folks here do, but the new VP for Sanofi marketing talks about this very thing and their new launch strategy including Afrezza. |
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Post by nylefty on Oct 9, 2015 17:10:10 GMT -5
Matt explained that Afrezza is too small to mention for a company the size of SNY with a slew of other drugs with more sales to mention.
I am as enthusiastic a long as there is, but those who are bashing management have a valid point. What Matt should insist Sanofi do is spend literally 30 seconds and say, "We've just begun a controlled launch of an inhaled mealtime insulin with performance so good, you take it just before your first bite of food and it clears your system faster than any insulin ever sold. Initial results from patients are extremely encouraging. It is the perfect complement to Truejo and we look forward to delivering these results worldwide in 2016." Isn't that something that nobody at MannKind or Sanofi is allowed to say? If Sanofi could make claims like that they'd be doing so in their advertising. |
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Post by lorcan458 on Oct 9, 2015 19:09:45 GMT -5
"We've just begun a controlled launch of an inhaled mealtime insulin with performance so good, you take it just before your first bite of food and it clears your system faster than any insulin ever sold. Initial results from patients are extremely encouraging. It is the perfect complement to Truejo and we look forward to delivering these results worldwide in 2016." Isn't that something that nobody at MannKind or Sanofi is allowed to say? If Sanofi could make claims like that they'd be doing so in their advertising. I don't see how they could be banned from saying any of it, but I could be wrong. Let me break it apart to make it easier for people who know more about the legalities to comment: 1. Performance so good you take it just before your first bite of food: That is dosing information that's on any medication (take x minutes before, during or after). Since it's a mealtime insulin, characterizing the performance as good could be argued, but I think not having stick a needle through your skin 40 minutes before you can eat is not as good as taking a breath of Afrezza as someone offers you delicious snack. 2. Clears your system faster than faster than any insulin ever sold: The PK graphs are reality. They've been proven in study after study and in the real world. How can telling the truth be illegal? 3. Initial results from patients are extremely encouraging: Again, simply reality and truth. And encouraging is by definition subjective. 4. The final sentence is simply marketing, saying they will offer Truejo and Afrezza as long lasting and mealtime insulin solution. |
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Post by suebeeee1 on Oct 9, 2015 23:39:16 GMT -5
1. I don't think the PFT is as big a barrier as Sanofi would like to believe. 2. Its all about the affordability. Insurance companies need to cover this in order for doctors to feel comfortable prescribing it and people considering it! Take the time to listen again to Matt at 5:10+ mark on the Aegis Conference call. He mentions getting SNY insulin approved for Afrezza and getting label enhancing studies done next year. Sounds like AF is wrong about SNY pulling the plug on Afrezza if they are making plans for next year! Not sure who your comment is directed towards. Neither one of us seem to be suggesting that Sanofi is about to pull the plug. Am I missing something? |
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Post by jpg on Oct 10, 2015 0:50:04 GMT -5
From a regular MNKD troll/ basher: Who is Melissa?
See bashers can be useful at uncovering FUD.
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