Insulet Extends Links with Glooko in Europe for Diabetes Data Management

Insulet Corporation (NASDAQ: PODD) (Insulet or the Company), the global leader in tubeless insulin pump technology with its Omnipod^® Insulin Management System (Omnipod System), today announced that it has partnered with Glooko^®, Inc. to connect Insulet’s Omnipod System user data with Glooko+diasend^®, the most comprehensive diabetes data management system available, across Europe.

“Insulet and Glooko are dedicated to bringing innovation to diabetes management around the world. We are delighted to work together to provide Omnipod users across Europe the ability to remotely sync data from their Omnipod Systems using Glooko+diasend,” said DJ Cass, General Manager, Insulet Europe. “This combined platform makes their lives easier by allowing people with diabetes to review their blood glucose patterns on their smartphones and monitor the impact of their insulin regimen, diet and physical activity on their diabetes management.”

Insulet’s partnership with Glooko is further proof of its commitment to putting customers first, as it ensures Insulet can continue to be closer to the diabetes community and provide personalised support for Podders™ across Europe.

“Glooko has a long-standing relationship with Insulet and we are very excited to now expand our collaboration even further within the European markets,” said Anders Sonesson, General Manager Glooko Europe. “We are proud to support the Omnipod System with our universal data management solution and our seamless user experience will appeal to numerous health care providers and their patients throughout Europe, taking clinic workflow, remote patient monitoring and overall diabetes treatment plans to new heights.”

Glooko+diasend is currently used at approximately 7,000 provider sites by over 1.5 million users in 23 countries, and the system is offered in 15 languages.

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Natural Grocers target hiked by RBC

To $16.

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Fentanyl Deaths Double in 10 States, Present in 21% of Deaths: CDC

The number of opioid overdose deaths in which fentanyl was detected in 10 states doubled during the first half of 2017 compared with the second half of 2016, according to the CDC’s Mortality and Morbidity Weekly Report — putting numbers to a trend already known qualitatively.

The number of deaths from carfentanil nearly doubled, too.

Fentanyl analogs were present in 21% of 11,045 opioid overdose deaths in 10 states during a 1-year period ending July 2017, the CDC reported. Carfentanil was found in 11.2% of those cases. The largest numbers and most substantial increases in fentanyl-related deaths were in Ohio.

In more than 95% of cases where a fentanyl analog was detected, medical examiners or coroners said it contributed to the cause of death, supporting other reports that fentanyl may be fueling the surge in opioid deaths.

New fentanyl analogs continue to be identified, and it’s possible fentanyl was missed in some cases: “The increasing array of fentanyl analogs highlights the need to build forensic toxicological testing capabilities to identify and report emerging threats and to enhance capacity to rapidly respond to evolving drug trends,” the CDC researchers wrote.

In addition, the potency of many fentanyl analogs, especially carfentanil, “might warrant multiple administrations of the effective opioid overdose reversal medication naloxone.”

No conflicts of interest were reported.

• Primary Source

  Mortality and Morbidity Weekly Report

  Source Reference: O’Donnell J, et al “Overdose deaths with carfentanil and other fentanyl analogs detected — 10 states, July 2016–June 2017” MMWR 2018; 67(27): 767-768.

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Aetna, CVS jump after report says DOJ won’t oppose merger

Shares of Aetna (AET) are rallying after Reorg Research, according to Bloomberg, reported that the Department of Justice is not, “at this point,” looking to challenge in court CVS Health’s (CVS) planned takeover of the company. Reorg cited an official with Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner for story. Shares of Aetna are up $4.25 to $191.81 in midday trading while CVS is up $2.15 to $69.45. Express Scripts (ESRX), which reached an agreement to be acquired by Cigna (CI), is up $1.43 to $82.00.

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Amazon, Xealth plan healthcare delivery pilot

CNBC sources say Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) and startup Xealth are planning a pilot program that would deliver doctor-recommended products after patients check out of the hospital.

Patients would gain access to discounted medical supplies and goods with home delivery through Amazon Prime or other participating e-commerce providers.

Xealth is managing the pilot with Amazon guiding bundle setup and reseller accounts. Seattle’s Providence Health Systems and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center are also onboard as both hospital systems and Xealth investors.

The pilot program is under review and could start within months.

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Planet Fitness climbs after lawmakers pass tax break for gym memberships

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Shares of Planet Fitness (PLNT) are higher on Thursday after U.S lawmakers passed tax breaks for gym memberships. Shares are also benefiting from an analyst note out yesterday. Planet Fitness franchises and operates fitness centers under the Planet Fitness name. It operates in three segments: Franchise, Corporate-Owned Stores, and Equipment. TAX DEDUCTIONS FOR HEALTH: A special panel of the House of Representatives advanced a bipartisan bill on Thursday that would allow taxpayers to claim deductions for gym memberships, fitness classes and other workout expenses to promote a healthy lifestyle. “Americans should have the ability to save and spend their health care dollars the way they want and need,” said House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady, according to a report from the Washington Examiner. According to media reports, the legislation would give individuals a $500 allowance on gym memberships and other sports and fitness expenses. ANALYST LIKES BALANCE SHEET: Piper Jaffray analyst Peter Keith raised his price target for Planet Fitness to $51 following the company’s announced debt refinance. Importantly, Planet Fitness will likely use an increased cash position to begin repurchasing stock as early as Q4, Keith told investors in a research note on Wednesday. The analyst said he finds it reasonable that the company can repurchase $400M-$900M of stock in 2019 or 10%-20% of its market capitalization. He reiterated an Overweight rating on the shares. PRICE ACTION: Shares of Planet Fitness are up 3.1% or $1.40 to $46.59 in afternoon trading.

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Zynerba Gains On Positive Phase 2 Data For Fragile X Med

Zynerba Pharmaceuticals Inc ZYNE 3.59% announced Thursday its Phase 2 trial for ZYN002 in Fragile X syndrome found sustained improvements in patients’ core behavioral symptoms.

The drug was well tolerated with no serious adverse events.

Why It’s Important

The candidate is the most advanced in Zynerba’s pipeline, and its progress promises near-term revenue opportunity.

“These data are consistent and compelling, and suggest that ZYN002 may have a clinically meaningful and durable effect on the most common observable behaviors associated with childhood and adolescent Fragile X syndrome,” Honey Heussler, lead investigator in the study, said in a press release.

Additionally, as a cannabinoid therapy, ZYN002’s success reflects positively on the cannabis industry.

What’s Next

Zynerba awaits confirmatory results from a pivotal clinical trial started Monday. Top-line data is due in the second half of 2019.

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