Medtronic Reports and other items
As we head into the Thanksgiving holiday there is still business to be done unfortunately for Medtronic when it comes to diabetes business isn’t too good. Per their earnings release this morning. “Diabetes Group second quarter revenue of $574 million decreased 3.7 percent as reported and 5.0 percent organic. Diabetes Group revenue performance was impacted by a delay in new patient starts on insulin pumps and continued competitive pressure. CGM grew...
Super Fight II
Back in March 1971 two undefeated heavyweights meet at Madison Square Garden to once and for all settle who was the heavyweight champion of the world, they called it The Fight. In this first of three epic battle Smokin Joe Frazier was the winner over Muhammad Ali by unanimous decision. Three years later these two boxing icons meet again also at Madison Square Garden this time with Ali prevailing also...
It’s all about franchise protection
This morning Lilly made the following announcement: “Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) and Ypsomed (SWX: YPSN) announced today a non-exclusive, global agreement to advance an automated insulin delivery system as part of Lilly's connected diabetes solutions. Under the terms of the agreement, Lilly will commercialize the system, which is currently in development and will include an insulin pump developed and manufactured by Ypsomed.” Now keep in mind this will be the...
Seen this movie before
Lately it seems not a day goes by without seeing another Dexcom wannabe get funding. The twist this time around is these wannabes are moving beyond the traditional CGM model and into the CGM/diabetes coaching arena. Yep it’s no longer good enough to try and be Dexcom it’s now SOP to be Dexcom plus Livongo. The good news here is that people are beginning to realize that CGM is no...
Alexa can I have metformin with my Tide
The big news today seems to be Amazon entering the pharmacy business in a big way, a move which really should surprise no one as Amazon didn’t exactly hide what they were doing. Walgreens, CVS and Rite Aid all knew this was coming, were taking steps to deal with it and now have to face the music because it’s here. Again why anyone is shocked at this news blows our...
A Fool’s Paradise
It seems as if Medtronic’s announcement yesterday with the launch of the InPen connected to the Medtronic CGM has created some controversy. Now before we get into this let’s be very clear here this system is NOT yet a full-blown Tyler. It is a first step towards a Tyler, a baby step but a first step, nonetheless. Let’s also acknowledge the obvious right now there is only ONE CGM system...
Taking his first steps
It’s been a long time coming but today Tyler is taking his first steps per a press release; “Medtronic plc (NYSE: MDT), the global leader in medical technology, today announced the launch of InPen™ integrated with real-time1 Guardian Connect™ CGM data. InPen is the first and only FDA-cleared smart2 insulin pen on the market for people on multiple daily injections (MDI). This integrated system now provides real-time glucose readings alongside insulin...
A sad ending
Many years ago so long ago in fact that not sure exactly what year it was during the annual JPM Healthcare Conference we sat down with a company which had an interesting concept, deliver exenatide via an implantable pump. Listen this was so long ago we’re not even sure if exenatide had been approved by the FDA yet. We listened intently as we were and still are big believers in...
Winning the game
In the diabetes device world the maxim is can you make it, support it and get it paid for. In the digital diabetes management world the maxim is all about patients. The platform with the most patients ultimately wins the game. It really does not matter how these platforms make money whether it’s a reoccurring revenue model or pay for performance. Given this maxim it makes sense that the second...
What it means
Before we get into our initial analysis of what this election means for our wacky world a huge shout out to everyone who voted. No matter which side of the aisle you sit on you have to be proud of America. In the midst of a pandemic people voted in record numbers. Let’s extend that shout out to pole workers, election officials and anyone else who help keep democracy alive....