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☆ Down syndrome families' fight for access to Alzheimer’s trials, treatments
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Julie Steenhuysen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

In an extended portion of Eisai’s main Leqembi trial, CAA was associated with one death. 'THE DIGNITY OF RISK'Hillerstrom said the groups are "very strongly" lobbying Eisai and Lilly to conduct the safety trials in Down syndrome, and said he has been meeting with the companies to push them to design such trials. Lilly declined to comment on whether it is considering either a safety trial or taking part in that study. An Eisai spokeswoman said the company "has no immediate plans" to conduct clinical trials of Leqembi in people with Down syndrome. The company is collaborating with LuMind in a study gathering data on how Alzheimer's manifests in people with Down syndrome.

Persons: Oskar Hillerstrom, Lianor, Hampus, Brian Snyder, Lianor da Cunha, Oskar, de Oeiras, Teresa, Oskar’s, Hampus Hillerstrom, Eli Lilly's, LuMind, Hillerstrom, Lilly, Emily Largent, Beau Ances, Louis, I've, Ances, I'm, Michael Rafii, William Mobley, Mobley, Dawn Brooks, donanemab, Margot Rhondeau, Hannah, Julie Steenhuysen, Caroline Humer, Bill Berkrot Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, CAA, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Medicare, U.S . Food, Drug Administration, Washington University, National Institute, Aging, University of Southern, UC San Diego School of Medicine, LuMind, Syndrome, Thomson Locations: Lexington , Massachusetts, U.S, Santo, Portugal, United States, St, University of Southern California

☆ Pepsi has long way to go to win Ozempic challenge
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Anita Ramaswamy | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The purveyor of Gatorade and Cheetos boosted operating profit 14%, to about $4 billion, after hiking prices by at least 10% for the seventh consecutive quarter. The quantity of drinks and snacks sold is slumping, however, and anti-obesity drugs are just starting to make their mark. Pepsi’s shares have tumbled 14% since May, lagging the 5% gain in the S&P 500 Index (.SPX) over the same period. The head of Walmart’s (WMT.N) U.S. drugstores told Bloomberg that customers taking Ozempic, Wegovy and others are pulling back on junk-food purchases. The latest results from Pepsi quelled fears of any immediate impact, but also raise questions about the future.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Eli Lilly, drugstores, Morgan Stanley, Boss Ramon Laguarta, Laguarta, Lay, Hugh Johnston, Jeffrey Goldfarb, Sharon Lam Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, PepsiCo, Gatorade, Novo Nordisk, Bloomberg, Pepsi, Frito, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Wegovy

☆ What are global firms with presence in Israel doing after Hamas attack
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Following are the steps taken by the companies ranging from airlines to banks:TRAVELSeveral Asian, European and U.S. airlines have suspended direct flights to Tel Aviv. Delta Air Lines (DAL.N):The airline said it continues to monitor events in the region and has made the decision to cancel Delta-operated Tel Aviv flights through Oct. 31. Goldman Sachs (GS.N):The bank's employees at its office in Tel Aviv have been asked to work from home, a spokesperson said. TECHNvidia (NVDA.O):The world's largest maker of chips used for artificial intelligence and computer graphics said it had canceled an AI summit scheduled for Tel Aviv next week. CONSUMER AND RETAILH&M (HMb.ST):The clothing company said its local franchise partner has temporarily closed all stores in Israel.

Persons: Amir Cohen, El, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Gautam Adani's, Jensen Huang, PHARMA Eli Lilly, Lilly, Priyamvada C, Mehr Bedi, Ananya Mariam Rajesh, Khushi, Jaiveer Singh, Samrhitha, Helen Reid, Sriraj Kalluvila, Shounak Dasgupta, Shinjini Organizations: Gaza, REUTERS, Palestinian, Hamas, Tel Aviv . Delta Air Lines, Royal, Chevron, JPMorgan Chase, Reuters, Bank of America, Bloomberg News, FedEx, TECH Nvidia, Tel, Inditex SA, PHARMA, Thomson Locations: Sderot, Israel, U.S, Tel Aviv, Royal Caribbean, Haifa Port, Zara, Bengaluru, London

☆ Weight-loss drugs fuel boom for firms that fill syringes
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Maggie Fick | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

[1/5] Catalent's automated visual inspection systems that check every pre-filled syringe to ensure product integrity are seen, in Brussels, Belgium, 2023. Eli Lilly's (LLY.N) Mounjaro is expected to be approved for weight-loss in the United States this year. The U.S. Inflation Reduction Act is also boosting development of biologic drugs, some of which are injected. Injectables are increasingly used in elderly care settings, and some new Alzheimer's and generic arthritis drugs are administered by injection. One healthcare investor said CDMOs' ability to boost capacity will determine how fast the obesity drug market grows.

Persons: Wegovy, it's, Savant, Morgan Stanley, Eli Lilly's, Mounjaro, Chris Chen, Cornell Stamoran, Fujifilm Diosynth, Germany's Vetter, Lilly, Marc Casper, CDMOs, Luke Sergott, Catalent, Catalent's Stamoran, Maggie Fick, Patrick Wingrove, Josephine Mason, Catherine Evans Organizations: REUTERS Acquire, Pfizer, HK, Fujifilm, Fujifilm Corp, Novo, Reuters, Research, Insight Partners, Barclays, Thomson Locations: Brussels, Belgium, Handout, United States, WuXi, Europe, GLP, Anagni, Italy, Bloomington , Indiana, U.S, New York

☆ U.S. employers covering weight-loss drugs could nearly double in 2024 - survey
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A 0.25 mg injection pen of Novo Nordisk's weight-loss drug Wegovy is shown in this photo illustration in Oslo, Norway, August31, 2023. The survey of 502 employers by Accolade (ACCD.O), a company that provides healthcare programs for employers, and research firm Savanta said 43% of the employers it polled could cover GLP-1 drugs in 2024 compared to 25% that cover them now. Nearly all the companies that are covering GLP-1 drugs plan to keep covering them next year, according to the survey. Employers that cover weight-loss drugs are facing a spike in their healthcare costs because of the growing popularity of Wegovy. Benefits consultant Aon (AON.N) said 1 percentage point of the 8.5% increase in employer healthcare costs it predicted for next year would be driven by employee take-up of weight-loss drugs.

Persons: Victoria Klesty, Savanta, James Wantuck, Ozempic, Eli Lilly's, Leroy Leo, Shinjini Organizations: REUTERS, Novo Nordisk, Accolade, Employers, Novo, Novo Nordisk's Wegovy, Thomson Locations: Oslo, Norway, August31, Victoria, Novo, Novo Nordisk's, United States, Bengaluru

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., September 26, 2023. While the 30-year Treasury yield crossed above 5% for the first time since August 2007, the 10-year and five-year yields hit their highest since 2007. The CBOE volatility index (.VIX), Wall Street's "fear gauge", briefly hit a five-month high and topped its long-term average of 20. A day after U.S. job openings unexpectedly rose in August, investors will closely monitor September ADP National Employment data at 8:15 a.m. Reporting by Ankika Biswas and Shashwat Chauhan in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak DasguptaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Kevin McCarthy, Mark Haefele, Haefele, Austan Goolsbee, Michelle Bowman, Eli Lilly, LLY.N, Mike Mason, Ankika Biswas, Shashwat Chauhan, Shounak Dasgupta Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Apple, U.S . House Republicans, Treasury, Microsoft, Nvidia, Dow e, Nasdaq, Federal, UBS Global Wealth, Institute, Supply, PMI, Chicago, Traders, Dow, Intel, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Bengaluru

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., September 28, 2023. Consumer discretionary (.SPLRCD) led declines in the major S&P 500 sectors, falling 2.2%, while beaten-down utilities (.SPLRCU) dropped 1.8%. Declining issues outnumbered advancers by a 4.74-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and by a 3.17-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P index recorded one new 52-week high and 48 new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 11 new highs and 225 new lows. Reporting by Ankika Biswas and Shashwat Chauhan in Bengaluru Editing by Vinay DwivediOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Eli Lilly, we're, David Russell, Raphael Bostic, Keybanc, McCormick, Ankika Biswas, Shashwat Chauhan, Vinay Dwivedi Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Dow, Nasdaq, Apple, Microsoft, Artificial Intelligence, Treasury, Boeing, Reuters, United Airlines, Labor Department, Investor, ADP, Atlanta Fed, Fed, Dow Jones, HP, BofA Global Research, Biopharma, NYSE, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Bengaluru

☆ Ally Financial to lay off nearly 5% of staff
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The logo and trading information for Ally Financial Inc appear on a screen on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, U.S., April 24, 2019. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid Acquire Licensing RightsOct 2 (Reuters) - Ally Financial (ALLY.N) said on Monday job cuts in various divisions of the digital banking firm will affect nearly 5% of its workforce. "After taking steps over the past year to pause hiring and manage staffing expenses through natural attrition, we have made the difficult choice to selectively reduce our workforce," Ally spokesperson Peter Gilchrist said in an emailed statement. The Detroit-based company offers various financial products and is best known for its auto-loan business. Reporting by Jaiveer Singh Shekhawat in Bengaluru and Saeed Azhar in New York; Editing by Shinjini GanguliOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Ally, Peter Gilchrist, Jaiveer Singh, Saeed Azhar, Shinjini Organizations: Ally Financial, New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Ally, Thomson Locations: New York, U.S, Detroit, Bengaluru

☆ Structure Therapeutics surges on promising early stage obesity drug data
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 29 (Reuters) - Shares of Structure Therapeutics (GPCR.O) soared 60% on Friday after the drug developer's oral obesity treatment succeeded in a small early-stage study. The drug, GSBR-1290, belongs to the same class of treatments as Novo Nordisk's (NOVOb.CO) blockbuster weight-loss drug Wegovy and Eli Lilly's (LLY.N) diabetes drug Mounjaro. Structure has said it is focused on developing oral obesity drugs that are simpler to manufacture than the current injectables. Structure "delivered better-than-expected efficacy and tolerability" for its oral drug, said Leerink Partners Research analyst David Risinger, adding that the early data was exceptional. Structure said it plans to test GSBR-1290 in two mid-stage studies as a treatment for type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Persons: Eli Lilly's, David Risinger, Bhanvi Organizations: Therapeutics, Leerink Partners, Nasdaq, Thomson Locations: California, Bengaluru

Accounts of suicidal thoughts linked to this class of drugs are drawing increasing scrutiny, including an investigation by European regulators announced in July. More than half of the narrative summaries describe suicidal thoughts appearing shortly after the person started the medicine or increased the dose. Wegovy’s U.S. prescribing label, produced with FDA approval, says suicidal thoughts or attempts have been reported in clinical trials for other weight-loss medicines. Sanofi's Acomplia, which never won U.S. approval, was withdrawn in Europe in 2008 after being linked to suicidal thoughts. She said she has not experienced any suicidal thoughts on that drug.

Persons: Dawn Heidlebaugh, Megan Jelinger, ”, Heidlebaugh, Eli Lilly, Thomas J, Moore, aren't, It’s, Novo, Dr, Erick Turner, Turner, Novo’s, drugmakers, Sanofi's, Sanofi, Contrave, John Amos, Lilly, Reuters weren’t, Lisa Wood, ” Wood, Sarah Sobol, you’re, Sobol, ’ ” Katherine, Jayson Chesnutt, Chesnutt, Robin Respaut, Chad Terhune, Maggie Fick, Ludwig Burger, Michele Gershberg, Brian Thevenot Organizations: REUTERS, Novo, U.S . Food, Drug Administration, Reuters, FDA, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University, Novo Nordisk, U.S ., European Union, European Medicines Agency, U.S, Currax Pharmaceuticals, Vivus, Facebook, Thomson Locations: Findlay , Ohio, U.S, Ohio, Novo, Canada, Europe, Carolina, Buffalo , New York, North Carolina, Indiana

Benefit consultants from Mercer, Aon (AON.N) and Willis Towers Watson (WTW.O) see employer healthcare costs jumping 5.4% to 8.5% in 2024 due to medical inflation, soaring demand for costly weight-loss drugs and wider availability of high-priced gene therapies. Benefit consultants help design insurance plans for medium and large employers. About two-thirds of U.S. workers receive benefits through such plans.Insurers UnitedHealth (UNH.N), Centene (CNC.N), Cigna (CI.N) and Elevance (ELV.N), which manage employer insurance plans, declined to comment for this story. Of its projected 8.5% increase in employer healthcare costs for next year, Aon anticipates 1 percentage point coming from weight-loss drugs alone. Gene therapy treatment of just one employee could significantly raise costs for a company, consultants said.

Persons: Srdjan, Willis Towers Watson, Mercer, Marsh McLennan, Beth Umland, Aon, Novo's Ozempic, Eli Lilly's, Janet Faircloth, Jodi Picoult's, Khushi Mandowara, Leroy Leo, Caroline Humer, Bill Berkrot Organizations: U.S, REUTERS, Reuters Graphics, Novo, Reuters, Employers, Thomson Locations: Ljubljana, Mercer, Aon, United States, Bengaluru

New anti-obesity drugs have the potential to transform public health, while obliterating demand for products and services from the medical, food and fitness industries. Drugs developed by Novo Nordisk (NOVOb.CO) and Eli Lilly (LLY.N) appear to be the first truly effective diet treatments. In one clinical trial, patients taking Eli Lilly’s soon-to-be-launched weight-loss drug lost about 50 pounds (23 kg). Only about a third of those who started taking the drugs for obesity were still doing so a year later, according to one analysis. Yet even as Novo, Lilly and others see their addressable markets expand, some companies will see theirs shrink.

Persons: Lilly, George Frey, Eli Lilly, Eli Lilly’s, Novo, Wegovy, Kraft Heinz, Burger, LSEG, Michael Farrell, Zimmer Biomet, Smith, Peter Thal Larsen, Sharon Lam, Oliver Taslic Organizations: Novo Nordisk, Pharmacy, REUTERS, Reuters, TAM, Drugs, Alpha, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Cadbury, Mondelez, Fortune Business, Burger King, KFC, Yum Brands, Centers for Disease Control, Milken Institute, BMJ, Novo, Inspire Medical Systems, Novo Nordisk’s, WW International, Fashion, Thomson Locations: Provo , Utah, U.S, New, United States, Lilly, England

[1/2] A box of Mounjaro, a tirzepatide injection drug used for treating type 2 diabetes and made by Lilly is seen at Rock Canyon Pharmacy in Provo, Utah, U.S. March 29, 2023. In four separate lawsuits filed in Florida and Texas federal courts, Eli Lilly is seeking orders barring Better Life Pharmacy, ReviveRX, Rx Compound Store and Wells Pharmacy Network from selling tirzepatide, and requesting unspecified damages. Lilly is the only company with U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval to sell tirzepatide drugs. "Defendants use Lilly’s trademark to attract customers and generate revenues and profits, including by passing off as 'Mounjaro' their own unapproved compounded drugs purporting to contain tirzepatide, and doing so for a use for which Mounjaro is not approved, namely weight loss," Eli Lilly said in the lawsuits. However, the agency has said that depending on circumstances, compounded drugs can be made and distributed with fewer restrictions when the original drug appears on its drug shortages list, which Mounjaro currently does.

Persons: Lilly, George Frey, Eli Lilly, Ozempic, Mounjaro, Patrick Wingrove, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Pharmacy, REUTERS, Wells Pharmacy, U.S . Food, Drug Administration, Novo Nordisk, U.S, FDA, Thomson Locations: Provo , Utah, U.S, Florida, Texas, Indianapolis, Arizona , Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, South Carolina, Utah

☆ Analysis: Wegovy launch in UK may underline Novo's need to get ahead of Lilly
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( Maggie Fick | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

A 0.25 mg injection pen of Novo Nordisk's weight-loss drug Wegovy is shown in this photo illustration in Oslo, Norway, August31, 2023. Studies have demonstrated more weight loss than with Wegovy. Novo's type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic has been on the market in Britain since 2019. A Lilly spokesperson declined to comment on Wegovy's launch or when exactly it would launch Mounjaro for diabetes treatment. Studies have shown that, used alongside exercise and lifestyle changes, Wegovy led to 15% weight loss over 68 weeks, while Mounjaro led to more than 22% over 72 weeks.

Persons: Victoria Klesty, Eli Lilly's, Wegovy, Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen, Novo, Lilly, Mounjaro, Ozempic, Eli Lilly, Maggie Fick, Alexander Smith, Catherine Evans Organizations: REUTERS, Wegovy, Economic Co, Development, Reuters, National Health Service, stoke, NHS, Britain's Department of Health, Social Care, Diabetes, UBS, Novo, Thomson Locations: Oslo, Norway, August31, Victoria, Britain, British, Danish, United States, Denmark, Germany, Europe, England

A coffee machine featuring Novo Nordisk logo is seen at the company headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark, February 5, 2020. REUTERS/Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk briefly unseated LVMH (LVMH.PA) as Europe's most valuable listed company in intraday trading on Friday, ending the French luxury group's 2-1/2 year-long reign at the top. At 0843 GMT, Novo Nordisk (NOVOb.CO) had a market capitalisation of $421 billion including unlisted stock, according to Refinitiv data and company disclosures of its share count. By 1031 GMT, Novo Nordisk shares were up 1% while LVMH shares were down 0.4%. LVMH shares have fallen 13.8% from an all-time high hit in April, underperforming Europe's broader STOXX 600 which is down around 1.9% in the same time frame.

Persons: Jacob Gronholt, Pedersen, LVMH, Ozempic, Wegovy, Novo's, Louis Vuitton, Marcel Stotzel, Stotzel, Eli Lilly, Axelle Pinon, Mounjaro, Novo, Carmignac's Pinon, Hennessy, Tiffany, Fiona Cincotta, Hermes, Samuel Indyk, Amanda Cooper, Catherine Evans Organizations: Novo Nordisk, REUTERS, Nestle, Dior, Fidelity European Fund, Fidelity European Trust, Barclays, Index, Financiere, Thomson Locations: Copenhagen, Denmark, Danish, LVMH, United States, China, Covid

☆ US senators push drugmakers for details on low-cost insulin programs
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Patrick Wingrove | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Democratic Senators Maggie Hassan and Tina Smith sent a letter asking the drugmakers for information on eligibility criteria for the programs, including whether a patient’s insurance status or income barred them from joining, and the steps insulin users had to take to sign up. Novo, Lilly and Sanofi, which account for 90% of the U.S. insulin market, pledged in March to lower the list prices of many of their insulin products by 70%-78% later this year or in 2024. The White House on Tuesday announced that a Novo insulin was among the 10 high-cost prescription drugs selected for the first-ever price negotiations by the U.S. Medicare health program that covers 66 million people. Hassan and Smith argued that to enroll in the drugmakers’ insulin programs, patients had to go through a lengthy and complicated process that required them fill out five to 10 pages of documentation and wait an unknown amount of time for approval. Around 8.4 million of the 37 million people in the United States with diabetes use insulin, according to the American Diabetes Association.

Persons: George Frey, Eli Lilly, Maggie Hassan, Tina Smith, Lilly, Biden, Elizabeth Warren, Hassan, Smith, Patrick Wingrove, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Novo Nordisk Pharmaceutical, REUTERS, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi, Democratic, U.S, Democrat, American Diabetes Association, Thomson Locations: Provo , Utah, U.S, United States

☆ Europe's bumper Q2 puts global dividend payouts on track for record year
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Marc Jones | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

This time around, the surge in global interest rates meant banks contributed half the world's dividend growth and drove a quarter of Europe's increase. At the same time, U.S. dividend growth slowed for the sixth consecutive quarter. "But the positive effect on bank margins from the end of years of ultra-low interest rates is very powerful and is driving dividend payouts". The second quarter marks a seasonal high point for Japanese dividends and payouts there rose 8.4% on an underlying basis. Its largest dividend payer, carmaker Toyota (7203.T), accounted for one third of the underlying increase with a 25% hike, despite lower profits.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Janus Henderson, Ben Lofthouse, Lofthouse, Eli Lilly, Marc Jones, Alex Richardson Organizations: REUTERS, Companies, Global Equity, UnitedHealth Group, Intel, Blackstone, Toyota, HK, Petrobras, PETR4, Thomson Locations: Europe, Italy, Spain, Britain, Ukraine, U.S, Asia, China, Brazil, Colombia

He said that once implemented, the prices on negotiated drugs will decrease for up to 9 million seniors who currently pay as much as $6,497 in out-of-pocket costs per year for these prescriptions. This kicks off the negotiation process for the 10 drugs whose new prices will go into effect in 2026. U.S. laws had prohibited Medicare from negotiating pharmaceutical prices as part of its prescription drug program that began about 20 years ago. CMS Director Dr. Meena Seshamani said Medicare plans to use a review process to make sure insurance companies keep clinically appropriate access to negotiated drugs. Two analysts said they expect the negotiated prices to move beyond Medicare and affect commercial markets for these drugs by 2026, when they come into effect.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jonathan Ernst, Biden, Joe Biden’s, Januvia, Xarelto, Johnson, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly's, Jardiance, Mohit Bansal, Entresto, Eli Lilly, Merck, Bristol Myers, Giovanni Caforio, Caforio, enrollees, Meena Seshamani, Stelara, Amgen, Evan Seigerman, Patrick Wingrove, Mike Erman, Manas Mishra, Nandita Bose, Caroline Humer, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Social Security, University of Tampa, REUTERS, U.S, Bristol Myers Squibb, Pfizer, Merck, Co's, Johnson, Novo Nordisk, NYSE Arca Pharmaceutical, U.S . Centers, Medicare, Medicaid Services, Reuters Graphics Wells, Novartis, AstraZeneca, Bristol, J, U.S . Department of Health, Human Services, BMO Capital, Thomson Locations: Tampa , Florida, U.S, Amgen's, Jardiance, Germany, Bengaluru, Washington

☆ Europe to face shortage of Lilly's diabetes drug through September
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Eli Lilly logo is shown on one of the company's offices in San Diego, California, U.S., September 17, 2020. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsAug 28 (Reuters) - Europe will continue to face a shortage of Eli Lilly & Co's (LLY.N) blockbuster diabetes drug Trulicity through September, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) said on Monday. Like rival Novo Nordisk (NOVOb.CO), Eli Lilly has also been struggling to meet high demand for its diabetes drugs including Trulicity, which treats type 2 diabetes in people older than 10. Novo's diabetes drug Ozempic was in short supply for months in the U.S., partly driven by prescriptions to non-diabetic patients seeking to lose weight. The EMA said on Monday Austria, Finland, Greece, Poland and Sweden are currently affected by the Trulicity shortage, while temporary shortfalls are also expected in Denmark and Norway.

Persons: Eli Lilly, Mike Blake, Co's, Ozempic, Khushi, Devika Organizations: REUTERS, European Medicines Agency, Novo Nordisk, Monday Austria, Thomson Locations: San Diego , California, U.S, Europe, Finland, Greece, Poland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, North Carolina, Bengaluru

Wegovy is the first-to-market in a new class of highly effective weight-loss drugs. The self-injection drug has transformed the fortunes of Novo, whose shares have surged about 165% since Wegovy's U.S. launch two years ago. The lion's share may be claimed by frontrunners Novo and its U.S. rival Eli Lilly and Co (LLY.N). Last month, Novo launched Wegovy in Germany, its first big European market. Reporting by Maggie Fick and Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen Editing by Josephine Mason and Mark PotterOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Novo Nordisk Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen, LUDOVIC MARIN, Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen's, Jorgensen, Eli Lilly, Wegovy, Novo, Maggie Fick, Jacob Gronholt, Pedersen, Josephine Mason, Mark Potter Organizations: Novo Nordisk, Chateau, BMI, Reuters, frontrunners Novo, Pfizer, Thomson Locations: Versailles, Paris, COPENHAGEN, Europe, Danish, United States, Denmark, Norway, Brussels, Wegovy, Germany

☆ Amazon Pharmacy automates discounts to help insulin patients get pledged prices
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Patrick Wingrove | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Aug 15 (Reuters) - Amazon.com (AMZN.O) said on Tuesday its online pharmacy will automatically apply manufacturer-sponsored coupons to more than 15 insulin and diabetes medicines to help patients access discounts pledged by the drug industry. Vin Gupta, Amazon Pharmacy's Chief Medical Officer, said the report highlighted the need to make it easier for patients to get their insulin at the lowest possible prices. Amazon Pharmacy will also automatically apply available discounts to diabetes-related medical devices from manufacturers Dexcom and Insulet, including continuous glucose monitors and pumps, as well as to other cardiometabolic medicines such as Novo's powerful weight-loss drug Wegovy. American Diabetes Association Chief Executive Officer Charles Henderson said Amazon's automated discounting would help the 37 million Americans with diabetes more easily access the treatments they need. So, we're going to create options that gives them access to these medications," Amazon Pharmacy Vice President John Love told Reuters.

Persons: Eli Lilly, Lilly, Elizabeth Warren, Vin Gupta, Wegovy, Charles Henderson, John Love, Patrick Wingrove, Sandra Maler Organizations: Amazon Pharmacy, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi, Amazon, Congress, American Diabetes Association, Walgreens, Reuters, Thomson Locations: New York

☆ Drug distributor Cardinal sees sales boost from weight-loss drugs in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Mariam E Sunny | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Aug 15 (Reuters) - Drug distributor Cardinal Health Inc (CAH.N) on Tuesday raised fiscal 2024 expectations for sales at its pharmaceutical unit, banking on growing demand for newer weight-loss drugs, including GLP-1 treatments. Cardinal peers AmerisourceBergen (ABC.N) and McKesson (MCK.N) have also flagged a potential boost to revenues for drug distributors due to high demand for these drugs. It now expects revenue from its pharmaceuticals unit to rise 10% to 12% in fiscal 2024, compared with its previous expectation of about 10% growth. It raised its 2024 profit forecast slightly to a range of $6.50 to $6.75 per share, from $6.45 to $6.70 it had forecast previously. Excluding one-off items, Cardinal Health reported a profit of $1.55 per share in the fourth quarter ended June 30, topping expectations of $1.49 per share.

Persons: Novo, Eli Lilly's, it's, Cardinal, AmerisourceBergen, Aaron Alt, Vaibhav Sadhamta, Mariam Sunny, Pooja Desai Organizations: Health Inc, Cardinal Health, Thomson Locations: United States, Bengaluru

☆ Wall St ends lower after bank rating cuts spark wider sell-off
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( David French | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The S&P 500 Banks index (.SPXBK) has slipped 2.5% year to date, compared with a 17.2% gain by the S&P 500, and the downgrades exposed the fragility of investors' confidence towards financial stocks. The banks index slid 1.1% on Tuesday, while the KBW Regional Banking index (.KRX) dipped 1.4%. Reaction to the bank downgrades pushed up the CBOE Market Volatility index (.VIX), Wall Street's fear gauge, at one point hitting a two-month high. Eight of the 11 major S&P 500 sectors fell. The S&P 500 posted 13 new 52-week highs and 17 new lows; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 46 new highs and 195 new lows.

Persons: Eli Lilly, Moody's, Goldman Sachs, Jason Pride, Brendan McDermid, Bansari Mayur Kamdar, Johann M, David French, Sriraj Kalluvila, Vinay Dwivedi, Richard Chang Organizations: Dow, Nasdaq, Bank of New York Mellon, U.S . Bancorp, Truist, Silicon Valley Bank, Bank of America, Traders, New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Dow Jones, Novo Nordisk, Dish Network, United Parcel Service, Thomson Locations: U.S, Silicon, KBW, New York City, China, Denmark, Bengaluru, New York

A selection of injector pens for the Wegovy weight loss drug are shown in this photo illustration in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., March 31, 2023. The increasingly popular Wegovy has transformed the weight-loss market since its U.S. launch in June 2021, capturing the attention of patients, investors and celebrities worldwide. Novo's news lifted shares in Europe's second-most valuable listed company after LVMH (LVMH.PA) by more than 17% to record highs. Novo said the eagerly-awaited study results, which have not been peer reviewed, showed that patients on Wegovy had a 20% lower incidence of heart attack, stroke or death from heart disease compared to those on a placebo. Lilly's shares rose nearly 15% in early U.S. trading, boosted by its upbeat quarterly results and Novo's trial data.

Persons: Jim Vondruska, Novo, Wegovy, Jeff Levin, Willis, Willis Towers Watson, Martin Holst Lange, Novo's, Eli Lilly, Mounjaro, Soren Lontoft Hansen, Maggie Fick, Nikolaj Skydsgaard, Jacob Gronholt, Ludwig Burger, Patrick Wingrove, Terje Solsvik, Josephine Mason, Sharon Singleton, Kirsten Donovan, Jan Harvey, Alexander Smith Organizations: REUTERS, COPENHAGEN, Novo Nordisk, Willis Towers, U.S, Union, Pfizer Inc, Amgen Inc, World Health Organization, Barclays, Reuters, Pedersen, Thomson Locations: Chicago , Illinois, U.S, LONDON, Europe's, Europe, United States, Novo, Wegovy, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, New York, Oslo

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., July 19, 2023. The ratings agency also warned that the sector's credit strength would likely be tested by funding risks and weaker profitability. Big banks Goldman Sachs (GS.N) and Bank of America (BAC.N) eased 0.8% and 1.4%, respectively, in premarket trading, while Bank of New York Mellon and U.S. Bancorp shed 2.3% each. "It also means that the concern that we had in March over those three bank defaults, is not over yet." Remarks by Philadelphia Fed President Harker and Richmond Fed President Barkin will be closely watched for cues about the U.S. central bank's rate path after mixed messages from New York Fed President John Williams and Fed Governor Michelle Bowman on Monday.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Eli Lilly, Moody's, Goldman Sachs, Sam Stovall, Chris Montagu, Thursday's, Harker, Barkin, John Williams, Michelle Bowman, LLY.N, Zachary Kirkhorn, Elon Musk, Bansari Mayur Kamdar, Johann M, Sriraj Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Dow, Nasdaq, Bank of New York Mellon, US Bancorp, Truist, Bank of America, U.S . Bancorp, U.S . Treasury, CFRA, Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank, Citi, Wall Street, Dow e, Philadelphia, Richmond Fed, New York Fed, United Parcel Service, Elon Musk ., Alibaba, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Silicon, Richmond, New, Elon Musk . U.S, Bilibili, Bengaluru

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