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Post by joeypotsandpans on Aug 2, 2015 12:14:52 GMT -5
My info comes from interacting with Sanofi reps this past spring when their tuned changed and reading what others say about their interactions with Sanofi reps regarding priority vs Toujeo and coverage. Another glaring issue with Sanofi comes from Hakan and Matt saying in May (I think that was the call) that script #s are 8 weeks behind their projections. How did they get so disconnected from Sanofi's performance just 4 months into a launch? Script growth has been flat the past 8 weeks so how many months behind are script numbers now based on Mannkinds projections? I'm guessing 4 months behind now and will be interesting to see if the comment on this Monday. For those saying it's not Sanofi I completely disagree as Sanofi presents the greatest risk for me. Back in January & February while the interim CEO was speaking for Sanofi, Afrezza had decent airtime and was visible in presentations. Now its almost invisible with no plans to submit for EU approval this year and no mention on their earnings call. It's in a box next to the door, I just hope the box doesn't get pushed out the door. I want this to be wildy successful but my confidence is shaken and I'm just trying to determine if I hold for greater things to come in 2016 or move on with modest gains after 4.5 years knowing I missed a great opportunity to sell at 10. Jimo, My last conversation (posted in other thread It's NOT sanofi) was this past Thurs., what the rep stated there is no "new drug block" makes all the sense in the world in comparing Toujeo and insurance with Afrezza and insurance. The fact that Toujeo is the same molecule and is a replacement for Lantus making it instantaneously accepted by the insurance companies is night and day with getting Afrezza past the standard "unblocked" timeline. Fortunately, we are closer to "unblocking" each day as I personally can't wait for my insurance to give the green light. My takeaway from our conversation was the person I was at lunch with when I texted the rep also can't get it right now...the rep has over two dozen patients in the same situation that they are trying to get pushed through....if you take that and conservatively extrapolate even with just 100 reps (avg of 2 per state solely representing Afrezza), that's 2400 scripts that aren't showing up in the NRx and TRx numbers...and I imagine that backlog is growing by the day. When those gates are opened, that is when the script reporting day everyone has been looking for with a big jump will happen...until then it's akin to water building behind a dam.
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Post by joeypotsandpans on Aug 1, 2015 19:22:18 GMT -5
What Material Event do you think might happen. As it stands right now -
1. We supposedly have a fantastically beneficial diabetic drug. 2. The product and it's supposedly game changing benefits to diabetic's is supposedly unknown by 9 out of 10 diabetics, endocrinologists and regular doctors. 3. Because of #2 it isn't selling. If the drug really is as good as the companies' stock owners say it is and everyone in #2 were informed about it. It would sell. 4. The people (Sanofi) responsible for making the people in #2 know about it, ARN'T and don't even mention it, even when they report earnings. 5. The people that invented it and produce it just tripled the size of how much of it they can make. 6. But because of #4 it doesn't make a dam difference.
Just wondering what Material Event are you thinking of?
Point of the thread was not to allude to any specific material event, it was to illustrate the risks if one were to happen and for those who may not be prepared (ala margin and shorter term options positions they hold or were thinking of) if same occurred. It has been my experience that when there are two very diverse sides it can end with some volatile fireworks. When some of the factors you point out may be on the "brink" of breaking through and you have a large short contingent that is "stuck" and has almost doubled over the course of a year in trying to suppress and keep a s/p from getting away from them, they will seize any opportunistic time where confusion may aid in their getting freed up from a bad position. In addressing your points 3,4, and 6 I encourage you to read the "its NOT sanofi" thread...also read my exchange I posted in that thread with a SNY rep. especially the point of why Toujeo is not being blocked by the insurers compared to Afrezza. Hope that helps
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Post by joeypotsandpans on Aug 1, 2015 17:16:37 GMT -5
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Post by joeypotsandpans on Aug 1, 2015 9:10:15 GMT -5
Hypothetically speaking, most longs have talked about a material event that would cause a short squeeze....conversely I'm wondering if the longs are mentally and financially prepared for a material event headline that would cause a possible selloff reaction? An example would be with a previous small life insurance company I held shares in where the founder was an officer and major shareholder and passed away a few years ago. It was deemed a material event and got put out across the wires, etc. Should something like that occur and the instantaneous reaction causes violent swing reactions are you prepared to handle it when the uncertainty gets thrown about. You better believe there would be rumors from left, right, and center...FUD galore! I am saying that it is not a guaranteed certainty to occur but certain events stick out in my memory that have occurred in very similar situations to the one with this company. It keeps me balanced and grounded when remembering the past (certain events as mentioned) and learning from history so I thought I would share from previous experience. I have mentioned in the past DNDN, which much like MNKD had a huge short interest and the stock was usually under constant pressure. The shorts got caught off guard as after similar struggles they never thought the company would get the first ever cancer immunotherapy approved. Well after the approval, the share price was very volatile and I remember within a day it went like a yo yo from 8 to 2. Eventually it ripped up to near 60 and settled to trade between 30-40 area. Ultimately it went all the way back to pennies and BK for various reasons (far different in comparing its problems, etc.) but the day it made those swings I vividly remember because in a sense it was one of those "deer in the headlights" days and there was a huge amount of confusion...I believe it may have been halted after it was too late and the damage was done to sort things out. For a better understanding of what took place and some similarities see following: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dendreon they had a bit of their own cult referred to Dendreonites and after getting what looked to be an ok in 2007 from the FDA, the FDA stated they wanted more info....it eventually got approved two years later, sound familiar? The thoughts that go through one's mind when emotions take over can cause one to act now and think about what they've done later...the reason I never flinched prior to Adcom was I constantly reminded myself of what I had learned through my due diligence up to that point and held confidence that the committee would see what a wonderful alternative Afrezza would/could be for Diabetics. What swings the emotions for some more than others is that everyone's situation is obviously different...but one thing is certain, during times like those you will wish that you didn't know what margin was and if you hold options with expirations coming due, depending on how things settle out you may vow you'll never do options again. More importantly, if you held onto the stock based on the fundamentals of what you've learned and believe nothing long term has changed ie., the science etc. then as hard as it may be to keep those emotions in check, remember calmer heads will most likely prevail. I bring this up because one needs to keep in mind the sizable short position and they (the shorts) will prey on those vulnerable emotions and especially on those that are exposed to margin. I know that there are those that don't pay attention to charts etc. especially when it comes to biotechs but from a timing standpoint we are in those final weeks for a very long inverted H&S pattern that has been discussed in the past to come to a climatic period of reversal. It feels as though with as complacent as most have been through this that some event will inevitably happen to cause a final "flush" and/or panic for a decent volume of shares to exchange between long liquidation and shorts covering and them converting into those long positions. I would hate to see some of those that have waited this long to give in to what could amount to regretful emotional decisions. Take this fwiw, but I've witnessed it on various past occasions. IMO, this is not a time to be highly margined in this stock as those who were the day prior to Adcom can attest, it was not fun and most likely very costly for some who had to involuntarily part with their shares. The next few weeks may pass w/o incident, but are you mentally and financially prepared to ride out any storm that comes with gusts of fear, uncertainty, and doubts spewed about to part you with those shares you've ridden with to this point? Keep your eye on the prize
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Post by joeypotsandpans on Jul 30, 2015 11:51:16 GMT -5
Does anyone find it hilarious within this thread entitle, "Short covering in process now" that nobody is talking about shorts covering? Unlike most days when my peers are posting "they're covering!", the share price is actually slowly climbing higher after the early morning knock-down, which indicates buying. It sure looks like some covering may be in the mix, but with a volume of 5.5 million as I type this, one would hardly state that shorts are heading for the exits. Okay, back to the off-topic banter... Goes back to the idea that maybe they can't head for the exits if the majority of the position is one large HF. See my post in the SI thread yesterday...issues with too big to exit thesis.
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Post by joeypotsandpans on Jul 29, 2015 17:35:36 GMT -5
Thanks Brentie (and Greg), love the bolded point Brentie...I liken this to the problems that managers of over sized funds have. Actually who really cares at this point, not anyone collecting the monthly dividend that's for sure dear Rip Van Winkle: thx for trying to put positive spin on interest rate. But total actual "dividend" return is based on the total value of your lent MNKD shares daily. When pps value drops over 25percent in a month - the actual return today on lent shares is MUCH lower than the 16percent at schwab(or wherever) several weeks ago! I would take higher pps and lower stated interest rate any day. Wake me back up at 1:30am(et). Lol Precisely, that's why you need to be RVW, what say ye a month from now when it's back up 25% and you slept through the noise while collecting? Or for that matter, a year or two...if you need the $$ one month from time of investing, probably shouldn't be in the lending program to begin with ....btw, are you on the way to Chi-town already?
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Post by joeypotsandpans on Jul 29, 2015 17:20:26 GMT -5
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Post by joeypotsandpans on Jul 29, 2015 14:07:22 GMT -5
Sooo...anyone get notified of returned shares from the lending programs (for more than a few days)? Raise your hands (insert tune from Jeopardy) Joey, I had 6500 shares returned to me on Monday, but only for a few hours. Thanks Brentie (and Greg), love the bolded point Brentie...I liken this to the problems that managers of over sized funds have. Years ago, can't remember the fund manager but I think he was with Magellan and when they had to close their funds due to them getting too big. The problem was if they wanted to exit or enter any position with size, the sheer volume created a problem even with large caps. The following on that very same dilemma lipperinsight.thomsonreuters.com/2015/03/monday-morning-memo-fund-size-matter/stays in the back of the mind when considering how they (the current SI) exit the 43% position currently being held short. With such a staunch cultish behavior of lunatic longs as we are labeled, along with Al and his friends, not to mention our friends the institutions, we just watch the open interest in calls continue to rise through out the expiration calendar. Who gets stuck on the other side of those calls when those shares have to get bought back? Actually who really cares at this point, not anyone collecting the monthly dividend that's for sure
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Post by joeypotsandpans on Jul 29, 2015 13:34:02 GMT -5
Joey, not yet - I'm with Schwab; they did lower rate to 14% (from 16%) but I have not yet received any notice of returned shares...............yet! Thanks Md.....last time I looked 14% was still a decent percentage above current money market rates and with today's Fed statement looks like they will continue to stay on the sidelines for a bit longer anyway.
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Post by joeypotsandpans on Jul 29, 2015 13:12:38 GMT -5
Sooo...anyone get notified of returned shares from the lending programs (for more than a few days)? Raise your hands (insert tune from Jeopardy)
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Post by joeypotsandpans on Jul 29, 2015 13:06:17 GMT -5
MNKD has given itself 3 years to resolve this issue once and for all. At that time they will have more than enough cash assets to eliminate this debt. Why are you guys unhappy ? They bought time to resolve this at a future point of being flush with cash. It's good news indeed. Unhappy? The share price is down another 8% today. Another three years? Are you kidding me? In my opinion this is not good news, it is simply delaying the inevitable...buyout for a song or bankruptcy. Look at the over picture for the past seven years, the company fought for and won approval for AFREZZA, early adopters are loving it, they partnered with SNY then they started going downhill....scripts are low, DTC ineffective, marketing sucks. I wonder how many margin calls have been the last couple of days. Guess you missed this earlier in the thread, and if people are on margin then they need to accept the consequences of their actions, same for those that buy options...both are nothing "short" of gambling : You can end the "pain and suffering" at any time...there are buyers out there that want/NEED approx 112mill sh. Read more: mnkd.proboards.com/thread/3100/mannkind-announces-stock-exchange-agreements?page=6#ixzz3hIxU4Ywu
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Post by joeypotsandpans on Jul 29, 2015 10:19:44 GMT -5
There is a floor of around $4.85 on the conversion price. Please read the press release more carefully. My apologies. I read MNKD "may" adjust floor price as "will" adjust. Hey- AF made same mistake in his rant. Great minds think alike! Would hope MNKD would not need to adjust floor but... The problem AF has is he puts this stuff out there, just like there would be no Adcom recommendation to approve, etc. etc., so now he has to deal with how he cleans up the feces that just spewed from his pen after the next 10-11 days rolls by. Seriously, does anyone think Matt is going in front of the wolves without knowing he can address those questions...remember how he looked a week before the BofA conference, and then it seemed like a totally different CFO at the BofA conference?
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Post by joeypotsandpans on Jul 29, 2015 9:22:00 GMT -5
When a blockbuster comes on the market it usually comes with much fanfare. TV ads, radio, newspaper, web, social media. Are we really running the show like it is a blockbuster? No!! How come? Maybe it is not a blockbuster and just a niche product. I've have lost a ton on this stock and I cannot stand the constant singing of Annie. Tomorrow, tomorrow.... You can end the "pain and suffering" at any time...there are buyers out there that want/NEED approx 112mill sh.
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Post by joeypotsandpans on Jul 29, 2015 5:44:28 GMT -5
You guys are talking about domination of the market for Type 1 diabetics, who require daily basal injections (albeit allegedly less units while using Afrezza) and who account for roughly 10% of the diabetes treatment market.
The motherlode that Sanofi is really preparing to dig for is to have Afrezza insulin therapy replace Medformin as the standard first treatment for pre- and early-diabetics. Remember, Medformin doesn't "fix" anything nor keep the pancreas from deteriorating. Afrezza, on the other hand, has been shown to have remarkable "regenerative" effects on the pancreas and liver.
I wouldn't worry about Sanofi executives fretting over the impact on Lantus, when there is a whole world of Type 2 treatment with the potential to generate many times the revenue that Lantus/Toujeo account for.
Some pharmaceutical executives may frown on the idea of "remission" since it means that, unlike Type 1's, many early Type 2 patients may only need to receive intensive therapy for a relatively short period of time using Afrezza. Then, when the pancreas has "rested" and their bodies' control of blood glucose appears to be functioning normally again, they need only maintain a regimen of diet and exercise.
Stop and think about the PR benefits to a pharmaceutical company for a drug like that. Medformin cannot make that claim, nor any analog insulin, GLP-1's or the latest and greatest within the "alphabet soup" of diabetes treatments.
Afrezza is the only one which will have the ability to boast that it may be effectively used initially as a short-term treatment to stop the deterioration of the pancreas and, in essence, to stop the progression and possibly even remission of this destructive disease at its onset.
Afrezza truly represents a paradigm shift in the treatment of diabetes that can and will add years to the lives of millions, lives that can be lived normally. It's a fact not being overlooked by Sanofi and it should NOT be overlooked by long-term investors in MNKD.
I worked in the pharmacy in undergrad and unfortunately I don't see Afrezza overtaking metformin anytime soon, if ever, as the drug of choice for physicians. It would take an amazing amount of momentum to change the sentiment of stubborn docs. They get in habits and prescribe what they're comfortable with and what they know. They know metformin works. And, most importantly, it's cheap. It's a $4 drug vs. $400/month. I don't see either physicians or patients choosing the more expensive option unless afrezza can cure type 2s and reverse diabetes. As a maintenence med it doesn't make much sense unless the patient has deep pockets. Here's to hoping afrezza can cause a paradigm shift. Excuse me, but I would like to keep my memory intact as much and for as long as possible: www.kpbs.org/news/2013/apr/12/scripps-researchers-find-culprit-alzheimers-relate/also, Metformin, Other Antidiabetic Drugs, and Risk of Alzheimer's Disease www.medscape.com/viewarticle/764413_1
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Post by joeypotsandpans on Jul 29, 2015 4:52:52 GMT -5
Talk about a company that doesn't want to leave any stone unturned...first link is today's news, second link will give a better picture of the study comparisons and side effects. Once a day injection for T2's GLP-1 combination with Lantus compared favorably to Metformin. Right in Novo's backyard so to speak as this partner is situated right in Copenhagen...SNY is aggressively looking to remain the absolute leader in the treatment of Diabetes IMO and doesn't look to be taking any prisoners...this is another continued use of Lantus, they're looking out on all their fronts/products in maintaining and growing market share in the space and being the one stop shop (Basal, Prandial, GLP's, you name it) when it comes to tackling Diabetes....again if I'm a Novo rep (or investor for that matter), I'd be looking to jump ship money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/globenewswire/10143619.htmwww.nice.org.uk/advice/esnm26/chapter/key-points-from-the-evidence
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