MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'exubera'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:08:43 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2999749&cid=t_103196_134_f&fid=34841&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.diabetesmine.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fthe-truth-about-afresa-inhalable-insulin-a-chat-with-al-mann.html Al Mann, CEO of MannKind Corp., is something of a legend in his own time.  He not only founded MiniMed, acquired by Medtronic, but also four other successful medical companies. He’s a billionaire, with his own Biomedical Engineering Institute at the University of Southern California (USC), so we can assume that he’s not just championing [...] (Source: Diabetes Mine) Diabetes Mine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2999749 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:02:31 +0100 2999749 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2883170&cid=t_103196_134_f&fid=34841&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.diabetesmine.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fmixed-feelings-on-inhalable-insulin.html MannKind Corp., the most aggressive company pushing ahead on bringing inhalable insulin to market post the Exubera debacle, took a hit last week when it was forced to announce that a critical marketing partnership didn’t pan out.  Investors are now fighting over the company’s future. As a PWD who watched the whole sordid Exubera story play [...] (Source: Diabetes Mine) Diabetes Mine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2883170 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:00:29 +0100 2883170 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2649220&cid=t_103196_134_f&fid=36012&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBattleDiabetes%2F%7E3%2FzSYv4DnN2sg%2F The pharmaceutical company Pfizer has decided to discontinue their inhaled insulin Exubera. The inhaled insulin Exubera was classified as a second generation form of insulin and it was thought that this development in insulin technology would take off…didn’t happen. But why? Pfizer has reported that Exubera, which was an inhaled powder insulin product geared towards type1 and type2 diabetes, never found the acceptance of doctors and patients. Pfizer announced on October 18th that they will no longer be producing Exubera, their announcement did make it clear that their discontinuation of the Inhaled Insulin Device decision was not based on any safety issues, it was totally due to lack of interest. In other words, they were not making enough money off of Exubera to make it wort... Battle Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2649220 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 13:38:49 +0100 2649220 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1365032&cid=t_103196_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2F268056487%2F Inhaled insulin (Pfizer’s Exubera) may be associated with lung cancer. Such were the findings revealed by a clinical trial, in turn prompting Pfizer to update its product labeling. The data demonstrate that six of 4,740 patients treated with the inhaled powder form of recombinant human insulin (Exubera, Pfizer) developed lung cancer, compared with one of 4,292 patients not treated with the therapy. One inhaled insulin-treated patient also reported primary lung malignancy in a post-marketing report. Though unrelated to this new date, Pfizer apparently will stop the marketing of Exubera in October. Hmmm…could really be unrelated? Read more from Endocrine Today. Tags: Exubera, inhaled insulin, lung-cancer, PfizerShare This (Source: Cancer Commentary) Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1365032 Fri, 11 Apr 2008 01:22:06 +0100 1365032 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1363864&cid=t_103196_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F267655931%2F Forget about Exubera and lung cancer. Alfred Mann, the 82-year-old Los Angeles billionaire and philanthropist who has bet nearly half of his estimated $2.2 billion fortune that he can develop an inhaled version of insulin for the nation’s 5 million diabetics, isn’t giving up. Long shot or no, he remains committed to developing a similar device called Technosphere, writes The Los Angeles Times. He remains convinced that his product, which he hopes to market by 2010, will be a success. The 60 percent drop in Mannkind shares following the news that the Pfizer device was linked to lung cancer isn’t deterring him. “By no means am I unsure of the scientific and clinical benefits of Technosphere. I have no reason to believe there is any safety issue with our drug,” M... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1363864 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:16:17 +0100 1363864 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1361152&cid=t_103196_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F267049512%2F The insulin inhaler used to be a joking matter. Not anymore. The drugmaker is updating the labeling after reviewing clinical trial data and post-marketing reports. The actual number of cases was low - six of 4,740 Exubera patients compared with one of 4,292 patients not using the inhaler. One case was also found after Exubera became available. All of the cases, however, involved cigarette smokers, and Pfizer maintains there were too few cases to determine whether these were related to the use of the device. The warning comes just six months after Pfizer abruptly stopped its vain efforts to make a success out of the device, which was widely derided for a cumbersome design that resembled a bong. The failure was perceived as one of the biggest pharma flops in years and the drugmaker was wide... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1361152 Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:24:09 +0100 1361152 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1360588&cid=t_103196_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F04%2Fsometimes-doctors-and-patients-were.html I can't help reading this story about Exubera reported in the WSJ Health Blog and thinking: "Thank God that physicians (and patients) don't fall for ALL the BS pharmaceutical marketers throw at them."Pfizer said this morning that it’s adding a warning about lung cancer to the labeling for its inhaled insulin Exubera. The number of cases is low — six out of 4,740 patients treated with the drug, compared with one case out of 4,292 comparable patients who did not receive the drug. (see "Lung Cancer Warning May Be Last Gasp for Inhaled Insulin").Of course, Pfizer says that "all patients who developed lung cancer had a prior history of cigarette smoking, and that there were too few cases to determine whether the development of lung cancer is related to the use of Exubera" (see Pfizer's stat... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1360588 Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:23:00 +0100 1360588 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1314433&cid=t_103196_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F254336725%2F The drugmaker is also closing a manufacturing facility in Chelsea, Massachusetts, now that Lilly has decided to cancel development of its AIR device, which was in late-stage clinical trials. Earlier this month, Lilly backed out of plans to proceed with the inhaler due to “increasing uncertainties of the regulatory environment” and commercialization concerns, but not safety issues. The move came just a few months after Pfizer ended sales of Exubera. The job cuts amount to 18 percent of Alkermes’ workforce, according to a statement. The drugmaker doesn’t anticipate any expense savings from the restructuring during its current fiscal 2008, which ends March 31, but forecasts savings of about $15 million to $20 million in fiscal 2009. The company expects to record a restruct... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1314433 Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:14:07 +0100 1314433 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1294729&cid=t_103196_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F249462697%2F The biotech won’t give up. Despite Lilly’s decision last week to abandon such a product, MannKind pledged to continue developing its insulin inhaler system even though its stock fell in reaction to Lilly’s announcement, The Los Angeles Times reports. But Hakan Edstrom, MannKind’s president, insists the stock, which has lost more than two-thirds of its value in the last year, will bounce back once investors realized its device is superior to the one Lilly had been pursuing. “We’ve been affected by an ongoing flu in the inhaler market, but we’re confident that we’ll come out of this with flying colors,” he tells the Times. “People are looking at all the inhalers as one family without a clear understanding that we have a very differe... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1294729 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 11:58:42 +0100 1294729 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1286444&cid=t_103196_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F247566513%2F Call it the Exubera factor. Alkermes says Lilly expects to walk away from the diabetes device within the week, the second time in less than a year that a big drugmaker decided an insulin inhaler lacks commercial prospects. Pfizer, you may recall, famously failed to properly market Exubera and, last fall, walked away, but not before suffering tremendous embarassment over its weak promotional efforts. Despite the rejection from Lilly, Alkermes hopes to complete Phase III testing, which is expected to finish this year. “Data from these studies will provide patients, physicians and the scientific community with long-awaited and important data for the evaluation of new diabetes medications,” Alkermes says, somewhat defiantly in a statement. Still, this may be a hard sell. Initially,... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1286444 Fri, 07 Mar 2008 19:58:27 +0100 1286444 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1286291&cid=t_103196_134_f&fid=35152&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsstrumello.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F03%2Fanother-inhaled-insulin-dies-but-not.html Today, it looks like Eli Lilly and Company's AIR inhaled insulin product has been killed. This follows Pfizer's Exubera disaster, and Novo Nordisk's announcement that they were pulling the plug on its AERx iDMS inhaled insulin product.But what makes this announcement so unusual is that the insulin-maker (in this case, Lilly) wasn't behind the decision, but the partner (in this case, Alkermes). Today, Alkermes put out an unusual, pre-emptive press release saying it expects Lilly to discontinue the program in the next week, ending their 7-year partnership to develop an inhaled insulin. No doubt, Lilly had its own questions considering the moves of its main rivals. In fact, Lilly had told Alkermes that the company was "evaluating its business case" for their AIR insulin product, which was in ... Scott's Web Log blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1286291 Fri, 07 Mar 2008 19:30:00 +0100 1286291 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1225631&cid=t_103196_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F233785299%2F Does anyone remember Exubera? In pharma, one controversy is quickly replaced by another, so for those who forgot, the product is an insulin inhaler, which Nektar Therapeutics manufactured for Pfizer. But the device was widely ridiculed for its unwieldly size, which resembled a bong, and the big drugmaker not only failed to anticipate the problem, but was unable to put sufficient marketing smarts behind a campaign. So last fall, Pfizer famously pulled out from the deal, although not before acrimonious exchanges between execs at the two companies came to light, further embarassing Pfizer’s standing as a drugmaker smaller firms would want as a partner. They later resolved their differences with a $135 million payment. Nektar, meanwhile, bravely - perhaps stubbornly - vowed to soldier on... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1225631 Tue, 12 Feb 2008 14:58:24 +0100 1225631 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1182987&cid=t_103196_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F224687348%2F The drugmaker says there’s no other use for the specialized production operation at its Terre Haute, Indiana facility, according to The Kalamazoo Gazette, which cites a press release that doesn’t appear on the Pfizer site. The layoffs begin in March. A Pfizer spokesman tells the paper that the operation has about 800 workers in total, most of the affected workers were hired in the last five years to produce Exubera. The 140 workers who will remain support sterile manufacturing operations for such things as antibiotics. For those who may not recall, the inhaled insulin device was originally touted as a breakthrough product, but Pfizer failed to anticipate concerns over the clunky size and sales never materialized. By the time drugmaker yanked Exubera last October, the campaign w... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1182987 Mon, 28 Jan 2008 17:28:50 +0100 1182987 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1150885&cid=t_103196_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F216722134%2F Novo Nordisk discontinued its experimental AERx insulin inhaler - and the device wasn’t even the size of a bong. More like an eyeglass case. Nonetheless, Novo discovered belatedly there was little medical and commercial benefit to a newer contraption when compared with products that are the size of a pen and use a needle, Novo ceo Lars Rebien Sorensen explains in a statement. And so Novo took a charge of about $260 million in 2007, and its move will affect an unspecified, but “significant number” of the 360 jobs at its Hayward, California site, spokeswoman Lori Moore tells Bloomberg News. “Pfizer’s decision on Exubera prompted this,” Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, Novo’s chief scientific officer, also tells Bloomberg. “We have realized that the tre... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1150885 Tue, 15 Jan 2008 00:08:59 +0100 1150885 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1455519&cid=t_103196_134_f&fid=36985&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fsugarstats%2F%7E3%2F186234139%2F For those of you out there still wishing for an better inhaled insulin solution there just might be hope yet. Or at least as long as Alfred E. Mann can help it. He believes in it so much he is going to invest $966 Million of his own money. “I believe this is one of [...] (Source: SugarStats.com - Simple, Online Blood Sugar Tracking for Diabetes Management) SugarStats.com - Simple, Online Blood Sugar Tracking for Diabetes Management blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1455519 Sat, 17 Nov 2007 12:00:02 +0100 1455519 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1031216&cid=t_103196_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F185794845%2F Never mind, Exubera. Pass the… inhaled insulin thing. Alfred Mann is so certain he can succeed where Pfizer failed that he’s betting nearly $1 billion of his own money to develop an alternative to the ridiculed device. The 82-year-old ceo and controlling shareholder in MannKind tells The New York Times that his inhalable insulin isn’t just a way to avoid needles, but is medically superior. “I believe this is one of the most valuable products in history in the drug industry, and I’m willing to back it up with my estate,” he tells the paper during an interview in his 23,000-square-foot mansion overlooking the San Fernando Valley in California on a recent Saturday evening, which he says was the only opening in his seven-day work schedule. Despite his remarkable entrepr... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1031216 Fri, 16 Nov 2007 14:31:07 +0100 1031216 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1025482&cid=t_103196_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F184689282%2F You may recall that Pfizer and Nektar trumpted a $135 million deal to seemlingly end their relationship over Exubera, the colossal marketing failure otherwise known as an insulin inhaler. The announced appeared to put an end, once and for all, to what was a stormy partnership. But a close read of Nektar’s filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission reveals that Pfizer is still involved, for now, with Exubera’s fate. Although the big drugmaker has agreed to transfer its rights, Pfizer has considerable say in Nektar’s choice of a new marketing partner, should another company even want to sell Exubera. To wit, “if a new marketing and development partner…is selected and is acceptable to Pfizer (after consultation with Nektar), then Pfizer will transfer all ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1025482 Wed, 14 Nov 2007 14:39:25 +0100 1025482 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1024397&cid=t_103196_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F184290390%2F The sun is peeking through the nation’s medicine chest. Perhaps, this calls for a walk in the park or a stroll down the street. Or a cup of your favorite pick-me-up. Whatever your choice, here are some of the latest happenings to peruse while you indulge… Biotech Growing Quickly In Massachusetts (The Boston Globe) Novartis’ Galvus May Not Get To The US: Analyst (CNNMoney.com) FDA Asks Genzyme For More Synvisc-One Data (Yahoo/Reuters) Consort Medical Closes Exubera Plant (Milton Keynes Citizen) BioCryst Can Proceed With Flu Vaccine Trial (The Financial Times) Share / E-mail (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1024397 Tue, 13 Nov 2007 20:16:43 +0100 1024397 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1022529&cid=t_103196_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F184131908%2F In attempt to put behind them a disastrous chapter in pharmaceutical marketing, the two companies have agreed to a $135 million deal that ends their relationship over Exubera, the failed insulin inhaler. You may recall that Pfizer was unable to convince docs and patients to try the oversized and cumbersome device, which was mercilessly ridiculed as resembling a bong, and last month unceremoniously ended its disastrous marketing campaign. The decision ended what was, by all accounts, a colossal failure and followed months of harsh comments from Nektar’s ceo, Howard Robin, who was repaid for his vituperativeness by learning of Pfizer’s move only after reading Pfizer’s press release. Robin quickly made clear he was very disappointed with Pfizer. Of course, this did little fo... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1022529 Tue, 13 Nov 2007 14:29:07 +0100 1022529 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1019163&cid=t_103196_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F183093347%2F Not interested in raking leaves? Brunch isn’t for another couple of hours? The kids are busy doing their own thing? Why not take a few minutes to catch up, then? And whatever you wind up doing later, we hope you enjoy your day… Glaxo is suing Abbott over the price of its Norvir AIDS drug. Glaxo claims Abbott raised the price on the med, which boosts the effectiveness of other protease inhibitors, without increasing the price of Kaletra, which includes Norvir. The higher cost kept Norvir from being used with other drugs, including Glaxo’s Lexiva, at a competitive price, Bloomberg News writes. The lawsuit, which was filed Friday, is the latest against Abbott after the price was quadrupled in 2003. Patients and retailers also have sued. Abbott has repeatedly argued the the p... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1019163 Sun, 11 Nov 2007 13:51:16 +0100 1019163 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=999555&cid=t_103196_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F178678450%2F And so the end of the week is nearing. But there is still much to do today. We have our hands full, in fact, and imagine that you do as well. And so as we prepare ourselves for meetings and projects and, of course, next week, here are a few items to keep you in the groove… Pfizer Remains Mum On Fate Of Exubera Plant In Indiana (The Tribune-Star) Japan’s Astellas Pharma Opens Sales Office In India (Bloomberg News) FDA Seizes Unsanitary Drugs From General Therapeutics (St. Louis Business Journal) Arena Pharmaceuticals Raises $109M In Stock Offering (Yahoo/Reuters) Share / E-mail (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=999555 Fri, 02 Nov 2007 10:59:17 +0100 999555 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=992035&cid=t_103196_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F177247468%2F Last week, you may recall, the Pfizer vice chairman announced his Dec. 31 retirement after a 31-year career, a good portion of which was spent as a cfo with considerable credibility on Wall Street. The decision, however, came a bit sooner than some expected. Granted, Pfizer’s latest cfo, Frank D’Amelio, just arrived to replace the last one, who departed in the spring, but the timing may have been nothing more than a matter of convenience for Shedlarz. Apparently, his retirement was precipitated, in part, by other events inside the beleaguered drugmaker, according to sources. And these reflected key strategic decisions about Pfizer’s direction. One involved a debate earlier this year over whether to make a bid for for Biogen, which more recently put itself up for sale, and... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=992035 Tue, 30 Oct 2007 15:57:18 +0100 992035 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=982726&cid=t_103196_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F175505369%2F It may as well as have been. From the front, the stapler looks quite spiffy and sleek. And notice how it does, indeed, bear a remarkable resemblance to the failed insulin inhaler, which Pfizer last week decided to deep six. Perhaps, the drugmaker can recoup some of its investment by selling the leftover stock of staplers as souvenirs of what many are calling the biggest medical marketing flop in recent memory. After all, unlike Exubera, the stapler is very easy to use - and no one will be embarassed by having it on their desk, because the stapler will never be confused with a bong. Share / E-mail (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=982726 Fri, 26 Oct 2007 19:23:59 +0100 982726 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=979535&cid=t_103196_134_f&fid=36012&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBattleDiabetes%2F%7E3%2F174878547%2F The pharmaceutical company Pfizer has decided to discontinue their inhaled insulin Exubera. The inhaled insulin Exubera was classified as a second generation form of insulin and it was thought that this development in insulin technology would take off…didn’t happen. But why? Continue Reading Inhaled Insulin Exubera by Pfizer Discontinued? What Happened? (Source: Battle Diabetes Blog) Battle Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=979535 Thu, 25 Oct 2007 12:48:38 +0100 979535 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=974718&cid=t_103196_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F174091674%2F We apologize for the late sign-off. Various sundry duties conspired to occupy more time than expected this evening. But here we are with a few closing items. We hope you find these useful and we look forward to seeing you again in the morning. Sleep tight… Alkermes Says Its Insulin Device Is Better Than Exubera (Yahoo/Reuters) Glaxo To Pay Up To $760M For Tortex Drug (Bloomberg News) UK’s NICE Recommends Three Meds For Arthritis (Yahoo/Reuters) Glaxo And Mylan Settle Paxil Patent Dispute (Yahoo/AP) Share / E-mail (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=974718 Wed, 24 Oct 2007 02:10:19 +0100 974718 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=971520&cid=t_103196_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F173779633%2F After the Pfizer flop that was Exubera, we brought to your attention the inventive imagery from PharmaGossip and PharmaGiles, those witty Brits, who likened the spectacular product failure to the Titanic and the Hindenburg crash, respectively. Both, of course, conjure images of extraordinary, if not unprecedented, events that offered some harsh lessons, as explained by In The Pipeline. And so we asked which image matches your feelings about the Exubera disaster? Not surprisingly, the voting was close. Of 90 respondents, the final tally reads this way… Jeff Kindlerberg? 46 votes, or 51 percent; A Titanic failure? 44 votes, or 49 percent. Share / E-mail (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=971520 Tue, 23 Oct 2007 10:44:07 +0100 971520 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=970076&cid=t_103196_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Fpfizer-headless-chicken.html Pfizer Inc. Chief Executive Jeffrey Kindler's decision to scrap an unpopular drug bucked an unspoken industry rule, according to a Wall Street Journal article ("Pfizer Breaks With Norm by Scrapping Drug"). Namely, products can linger on life support as long as they pose no safety problems.The article makes a couple of references to Kindler's previous experience as a fast-food (specifically chicken) executive:"This is a guy who came in from the fast-food business selling chicken, where decisions are made in seconds, and now he's in the pharmaceutical industry with a complex diabetes product that affects patients over decades," says Andrew Forman, managing director of health care at investment firm W.R. Hambrecht.And this: "...the CEO's public comments indicate Mr. Kindler aims to bring some... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=970076 Mon, 22 Oct 2007 19:04:00 +0100 970076 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=964750&cid=t_103196_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F172254892%2F Everywhere we go, it seems, people are talking about Exubera. They can’t seem to stop. Far more people, in fact, are chatting about the discontinued insulin inhaler than ever used the device. And given events, who can blame them? After all, the bong turned out to be a colossal failure, the likes of which big pharma hasn’t experienced in, well, we’re not sure how long. After pumping up Wall Street with promises of $2 billion in annual revenue, sales were just $7 million this year. The little company that made Exubera was burned by not being told the game was over until the public announcement. Huge factories are now wasted investments. And then there’s that $2.8 billion charge. But just how spectacular a flop is this debacle? Which image is best suited to convey the... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=964750 Sat, 20 Oct 2007 00:36:14 +0100 964750 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=964751&cid=t_103196_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F172236962%2F There was either a darned good reason that Jeff Kindler’s team didn’t call Howie Robin at Nektar Therapeutics in advance to say Exubera was being discontinued, or it was a colossal blunder. The official Pfizer line is that the info was material so it was best not to say anything ahead of time. But you may recall, that didn’t sit too well with Howie, who skewered Jeff in a press release yesterday in which he pointedly noted that he only learned the Exubera news along with the rest of the world. “Nektar has been very disappointed in Pfizer’s performance in marketing Exubera. Pfizer has publicly acknowledged its organizational difficulties and resulting poor performance in launching Exubera. This has culminated in their announcement today. We are evaluating all of our op... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=964751 Fri, 19 Oct 2007 20:46:23 +0100 964751 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=964755&cid=t_103196_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F172141990%2F While affirming Pfizer’s credit rating which, by the way, was lowered last December, Mike Levesque has now lowered the rating outlook to negative from stable. Given yesterday’s news that the drugmaker reported plunging profits and is taking a $2.8 billion charge to scuttle its disastrous Exubera insulin inhaler, the Moody’s decision is hardly surprising. Nonetheless, the move only serves to underscore the difficulties facing Pfizer ceo Jeff Kindler. The change in rating outlook follows Pfizer’s third quarter 2007 earnings report and reflects: 1 - the $2.8 billion write-down of Exubera assets; 2 - continuing pressure on US Lipitor sales and market share; 3 - the approaching loss of exclusivity for Lipitor in either 2010 or 2011. “Despite Pfizer’s excelle... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=964755 Fri, 19 Oct 2007 16:17:33 +0100 964755 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=962543&cid=t_103196_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Fexubera-titanic-failure-what-survivors.html The Wall Street Journal today characterized the failure of Exubera as "one of the drug industry's costliest failures ever." Mike Krensavage, an analyst at Raymond James & Associates, was quoted in the same article as saying "This is one of the most stunning failures in the history of the pharmaceutical industry." (See "Insulin Flop Costs Pfizer $2.8 Billion"; subscription required.)We haven't heard such comments since the sinking of the Titanic! So, the following image borrowed from PharmaGossip (see "Pfizer - Exubera: without a trace") is spot on as the Brits would say.Image source: PharmaGossip[If you'd like to see more blog images depicting the failure of Exubera, see my post over at Pharma Blogosphere ("'Round the Sphere: Best Exubera Failure Headline/Graphic. And the Winner is..."... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=962543 Fri, 19 Oct 2007 12:12:00 +0100 962543 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=961692&cid=t_103196_97_f&fid=35050&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmaGazette%2F%7E3%2F171831562%2Fpfizer_takes_a_us28b_hit_after_exubera_sales_fail.html Pfizer Inc.(NYSE:PFE), the world's largest pharmaceutical, is reporting a 77% drop in 3rd quarter profit today after it decided to write off a multibillion dollar charge to divest itself of its Exubera franchise. Lower than expected sales of the company's blockbuster cholesterol drug, Lipitor, is also a factor in the loss. Add in financial woes from generic competition of both blood pressure medication Norvasc and antidepressant Zoloft and the pharma company took a huge hit.Pfizer shares rose 15 cents today to $24.70 which is only a little more than $1 above its 52-week low of $23.13 in August.Phasing out Exubera is part of the company's strategy to be "realistic, listen to customers and be disciplined on evaluating investments," said Jeff Kindler, chairman ... PharmaGazette blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=961692 Fri, 19 Oct 2007 00:44:38 +0100 961692 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=961802&cid=t_103196_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F171779787%2F And Howard Robin should be. Sure, everyone knew Exubera, which Nektar Therapeutics made for Pfizer, was an embarassing flop. In recent months, the demise of the inhaled insulin device - which was often called a a bong and, more recently, was turned into a birdfeeder - seemed more like a question of when, not if. But one would think Jeff Kindler could have found a way to give Howie a heads up that Exubera was about to be deep-sixed. Not so. Nektar issued a remarkable press release - after Pfizer announced its decision - and openly complained that Jeff never bothered to pick up the phone or send even an e-mail to clue him in on the big move. Just check out Howie’s statement: “We first learned this morning of Pfizer’s decision to walk away from Exubera from their press relea... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=961802 Thu, 18 Oct 2007 21:49:31 +0100 961802 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=961805&cid=t_103196_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F171656765%2F Such a busy morning. Between earnings, layoffs, management changes and the FDA meeting about cough and cold meds for kids, we are having trouble catching our breath. And what will we do without Exubera? While we contemplate, here are a few stray items that are worth noting… FDA Panel Reviews Pediatric Cough And Cold Medicines (Yahoo/AP) Nektar Therapeutics Stock Dives As Pfizer Discontinues Exubera (Yahoo/Reuters) InVentiv Health Loses Novartis Sales Contract (Yahoo/Reuters) Vertex Stock Slides On News Of Schering-Plough Hep C Study (Bloomberg News) Galencia To Pay $900M For Aspreva Pharmaceuticals (The Financial Post) Share / E-mail (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=961805 Thu, 18 Oct 2007 16:07:54 +0100 961805 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=961709&cid=t_103196_134_f&fid=35137&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdiabetesupdate.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Fidiot-with-computer-proves-right.html Scott's Web Log just published the news that in an amazing triumph of common sense over marketing dollars, Pfizer is pulling Exubera off the market.When Exubera launched, I was quoted in Business Week (complete with horrible photo) as a "typical patient." I said I would not use Exubera because it had some serious problems.The journalist did not go into what those problems were, though I had spelled them out in some detail, but the main one was that Exubera was a bolus (mealtime) insulin that was supposed to be dosed by the patient's body weight, not by the carbohydrate content of the meal.That's just plain nuts.I'm extremely insulin sensitive and dosing Exubera by my body weight would have been likely to send me to the hospital with a severe hypo, as it would have resulted in my taking a d... Diabetes Update blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=961709 Thu, 18 Oct 2007 14:49:00 +0100 961709 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=959809&cid=t_103196_134_f&fid=35152&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsstrumello.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Fbusiness-of-diabetes-pfizer-pulls-plug.html Well, third-quarter earnings are being released en masse this week and next, and among the major drug companies, Pfizer and Lilly are releasing their earnings results today (October 18, 2007). Pfizer was the first one to release its results, and the company released a bombshell of sorts: they are pulling the plug on Exubera, the inhalable insulin that was released with much fanfare back in 2006. But the company made numerous mistakes in entering a business segment (diabetes) that they knew nothing about, and approached the market with a sense of arrogance that doomed the product.Pfizer Inc posted third-quarter 2007 revenues of $12.0 billion, a 2% decline from the same period last year. The company's reported net income was $761 million in the third quarter of 2007, a decrease of 77% from t... Scott's Web Log blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=959809 Thu, 18 Oct 2007 12:25:00 +0100 959809 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=959768&cid=t_103196_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Fexubera-bong-bombs.html Pfizer announced that it will no longer market Exubera, an inhaled insulin device that it just began to promote heavily on TV."We made an important decision regarding Exubera, a product for which we initially had high expectations," said Jeff Kindler, Pfizer Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Despite our best efforts, Exubera has failed to gain the acceptance of patients and physicians. We have therefore concluded that further investment in this product is unwarranted."Exubera had long been the butt of many blogger, patient, and even physician joke. Back in May, 2007, I hinted that the product would fail unless Pfizer came up with more innovative ways to promote it than by the usual DTC campaign (see "Pfizer's Exubera Strategy Needs a Bong Blog!").One of my blog readers, Sunil S Chiplu... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=959768 Thu, 18 Oct 2007 12:24:00 +0100 959768 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=959859&cid=t_103196_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F171570227%2F Thanks to the Exubera flop and generic competition, net income fell 77 percent. And so the drugmaker will no longer market the inhaled insulin device, which was likened to a bong and became one of the industry’s best-known failures in recent memory. “Despite our best efforts, Exubera has failed to gain the acceptance of patients and physicians. We have therefore concluded that further investment in this product is unwarranted,” Pfizer ceo Jeff Kindler says in a statement. Pfizer took a $2.8 billion to discontinue the big flop. This is a case of cutting his losses, but it doesn’t ease the pressure on Jeff. While he has $23 billion in cash, he has to figure out how to best use it to revive Pfizer’s ailing fortunes. Losses from patent expirations over the next th... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=959859 Thu, 18 Oct 2007 12:01:51 +0100 959859 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=949976&cid=t_103196_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F169742746%2F That’s the message from some Wall Street analysts to the drugmaker, which is hoping to succeed where Pfizer failed. For those who don’t recall, Pfizer’s insulin inhaler was a colossal flop, generating meager sales and countless jokes to the point where the bong-like device became a symbol of the company’s systemic troubles. (Don’t believe us? Take a look at how some are using Exubera now). Lilly’s own device, which is about the size of a cell phone, is still two years away from the hitting the market. But Lilly execs are talking up their prospects every chance they get. “Some patients get burned out from four or five injections a day,” Carlos Paya, vp of Lilly Research Laboratories and team leader of the inhaled insulin project, tells The In... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=949976 Sun, 14 Oct 2007 13:24:21 +0100 949976 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=908783&cid=t_103196_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F162109145%2F Just about anything except Pfizer’s insulin inhaler. Ironic, isn’t it? You can put your other meds or a syringe in this fanny pack, but not Exubera. No, for that you would need at least a sturdy Timberland backpack. Doctors, meanwhile, can use this to take home a leftover sandwich from those CME dinners, or pack a healthy lunch to take to the ballgame. And we know who paid for the tickets, don’t we? Share / E-mail (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=908783 Thu, 27 Sep 2007 18:55:05 +0100 908783 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=906268&cid=t_103196_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F161516074%2F Take a look, folks. The drugmaker’s inhaled insulin gizmo is about the size of some cell phones or an iPod, which means it can be used so much more discreetly than Pfizer’s bong. Despite a new sales and advertising push, Exubera isn’t expected to survive, not after racking up measly sales. In fact, some people are now using the Pfizer device as a birdfeeder. Are Christmas ornaments next? Of course, safety and effectiveness must still be established, given concerns over the affect on the lungs. A late-stage trial is slated to wrap in time for the firm to submit the product in 2009. Naturally, Bryce Carmine, Lilly’s global brand director told the UBS Global Life Sciences Conference, that he’s “encouraged” by the safety of inhaled insuling, according ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=906268 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 13:04:46 +0100 906268 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=888778&cid=t_103196_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F159146904%2F As a birdfeeder. And since relatively few devices were sold, this is actually a unique model to hang from your favorite tree. For this reason, it also makes a lovely conversation piece. Unfortunately, the FDA hasn’t approved Exubera for birds, so this may be considered off-label use, since it remains unclear what, if any, affect traces of insulin residue will have when mixed with the feed. Nonetheless, this suggests that Pfizer and its suppliers may be able to salvage some of the manufacturing costs. Perhaps, this represents a whole new business opportunity - Christmas tree ornaments come to mind. And December is only three months away. Hat tip to PharmaGiles Share / E-mail (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=888778 Thu, 20 Sep 2007 19:36:34 +0100 888778 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=786021&cid=t_103196_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F141660375%2F Even as Pfizer rolls out a direct-to-consumer ad campaign and talks about adding more salespeople to push the inhaled insulin device, one of two manufacturers that supply components is reducing production over the next few months, US-PharmaTechnologist.com reports. The move comes after Pfizer reported even lower Exubera sales than anticipated - just $4 million in the second quarter. West Pharmaceutical Services, which makes about 60 percent of the device, disclosed on page 14 of the earnings report filed with the SEC last week that: “We expect Pfizer’s high inventory levels and slower-than-expected demand will affect our fourth quarter 2007 and full-year 2008 sales levels…In coordination with our customer, Nektar, we have reduced production to one shift per day at our ded... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=786021 Tue, 07 Aug 2007 16:43:27 +0100 786021 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=783898&cid=t_103196_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F07%2Ffunding-boost-for-insulin-gel-caps%2F Filed under: Research, Products, SupportThere's a story running on CNN Money about the progress of Oramed Pharmaceuticals' insulin capsule, which is currently under development. The capsule, taken orally, could provide a more convenient way for diabetics to get insulin than through shots. And popping a gel cap would, needless to say, also be more convenient than toting and blowing on one of those big old clunky Exubera inhalers.In the quest to get its product to market, Oramed needs cash, and lots of it. Answering the call, a combination of private investors are putting up more than two million dollars in financing for the Israel-based company.It's hoped the money will help to propel the insulin capsule through completion of Phase 1 (drug safety) trials by the middle of next year. Said Ora... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=783898 Tue, 07 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 783898 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=783161&cid=t_103196_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F141253063%2F The company that brought us the infamous Exubera inhaled insulin device - you know, the one we’re always comparing to a bong - has convinced Bayer that it has what it takes to develop an inhaled antibiotic. The deal “is a natural fit,” says a breathy Ulrich Kostlin, a Bayer Schering Pharma board member. For the privilege, Bayer will pay $50 million up front, and then as much as $125 million more as milestones are met. If the device is approved, Bayer and Nektar will jointly promote the gizmo in the US and share profits. Nektar’s product is in Phase II clinical trials to treat serious, hospital-acquired pneumonia. Known as gram-negative pneumonias, these often appear in patients whose immune systems are depressed, in the elderly or patients undergoing major surgery.... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=783161 Mon, 06 Aug 2007 15:40:57 +0100 783161 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=745517&cid=t_103196_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F07%2Fexubera-tv-ad-lacks-bong-er-i-mean-bang.html Pfizer's Exubera ad campaign has begun, not with a bong, but with a whimper!July is turning out to be a cruel month for Pfizer, which just recently announced a 48% drop in net income amid predictions that sales of Exubera -- its new treatment for type-2 diabetes -- are far from what was expected and won't pick up much even after DTC advertising starts (see "What do Abe Lincoln, a beaver, and a bong have in common?").After seeing the new Exubera ad on TV last night, I would have to agree with the above assessment. The ad neither addressed the main advantage of Exubera -- it can replace the needle -- nor did it educate anyone on how it is used. It never shows anyone "taking a hit" -- that is, you don't see anyone actually using the thing! Thus, it hasn't directly confronted the main criticis... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=745517 Fri, 20 Jul 2007 10:19:00 +0100 745517 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=744828&cid=t_103196_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F07%2Fwhat-does-abe-lincoln-beaver-and-bong.html If you guessed negative Return on Investment, you win!Pfizer, the largest pharmaceutical company in the world, is about to join the League of Undistinguished DTC Advertisers (LUDA) upon the launch of its the much-anticipated Exubera DTC campaign.According to a recent post on Phamalot, at least one Wall Street Analyst has "lowered [his] Exubera estimates dramatically for 2007-2010; we now forecast 2007 worldwide sales of $20 million, down from $296 million and peak sales in 2012 of $326 million from $1.4 billion.""We think [the DTC campaign] may produce an uptick, but Exubera sales are on a whole different trajectory than we and the Street had been modeling.""Yes," says Pharmalot author Ed Silverman, "that would appear to be straight down. And the cost of a few TV ads will easily eclipse re... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=744828 Thu, 19 Jul 2007 14:44:00 +0100 744828 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=743473&cid=t_103196_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F135256089%2F The troubled inhaled insulin device continues to astonish. Take Jim Reddoch, a biotech analyst at Friedman Billings Ramsey who tracks Nektar Therapeutics, which supplies Pfizer with the diabetic bong. Here’s what he wrote in an investor note this morning: “Yesterday, Pfizer broke out Exubera sales for the first time, and now we know why it took this long: Exubera only sold $4 million in 2Q. This for a product that has been on the market for six quarters. We thought the number was missing a zero at first; we were at $63M for the quarter.” He notes that Pfizer has just launched an extensive DTC campaign. “Now that it is clear that endocrinologists have passed, it is going straight to the customer. We think this may produce an uptick, but Exubera sales are on a whole d... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=743473 Thu, 19 Jul 2007 11:48:43 +0100 743473 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=716651&cid=t_103196_134_f&fid=35152&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsstrumello.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F07%2Fexubera-manufacturer-cuts-jobs-due-to.html Well, this news story is hardly surprising to most people with diabetes, as I have reported since March 2006 (see my posts here, here, and here), I believe that the inherent assumptions behind the predictions of Exubera's blockbuster status were grossly over-estimated. For one thing, the drug is close to worthless to more than half of the insulin-using population, including virtually all of the 1.7 million type 1 diabetes patients who require insulin for survival because dosages can only be delivered in 3-unit increments which may not be accurate enough. Many patients have chosen insulin pumps because they can dose in increments of 0.01 units, yet this newcomer to the market is moving in the opposite direction in terms of dosage precision. Meanwhile, the type 2 market has more treatment op... Scott's Web Log blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=716651 Thu, 05 Jul 2007 14:43:00 +0100 716651 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=716535&cid=t_103196_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F07%2F05%2Freview-of-inhaled-insulin-research-reveals-a-mixed-bag-for-type%2F Filed under: Type 2, Adult Onset, Drugs, ResearchInhaled insulin was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2006. A new review of the body of published research on inhaled insulin reveals positive and negative results. Keep in mind, this body of research is lean and only covers a six month window of follow-up. Researchers examined eight studies involving 1,881 patients with type 2 diabetes to compare inhaled insulin, injected insulin and oral medications. On the positive side, inhaled insulin worked as well as short-acting injected insulin to control blood sugar over three months. Inhaled insulin can also improve blood glucose control for type 2s who have not had good results with short-acting insulin taken on top of baseline insulin. But inhaled insulin users had more difficult... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=716535 Thu, 05 Jul 2007 04:00:00 +0100 716535 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=587926&cid=t_103196_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F05%2Fpfizers-exubera-strategy-needs-bong.html Exubera -- Pfizer's new insulin delivery system for the treatment of diabetes -- has not been well-received so far by physicians and payers (see "Pfizer's Inhaled Insulin Fails to Impress Doctors, Insurers"). People with diabetes also seem to dislike the "bong" as it is affectionately called by some (see "Are you happy to see me, or is that just your Exubera Bong?").My friend Sunil S Chiplunkar, author of the Pharmaceutical Healthcare Blog, posted the following little limerick to the Forums at Pharma Marketing Network. I have edited it somewhat (see the original here):Pfizer with high hopes, launched the Exubera bongThought it would click like a gongBut missing is physician exuberanceAll it got was malevolenceSo will Exubera bomb?If Exubera were actually to crash and burn it would be a ser... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=587926 Wed, 02 May 2007 11:34:00 +0100 587926 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=479358&cid=t_103196_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F03%2Fare-you-happy-to-see-me-or-is-that-just.html (Source: Pharma Marketing Blog) Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=479358 Fri, 02 Mar 2007 16:53:00 +0100 479358