tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16774010.post8783550616972147378..comments2024-01-25T17:58:34.297-05:00Comments on Scott's Web Log: The Business of Diabetes: Pfizer Pulls the Plug on ExuberaScott Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03286529314567223617noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16774010.post-80936139628335996512007-10-23T19:59:00.000-04:002007-10-23T19:59:00.000-04:00Exubera is in no way, shape or form a cure for peo...Exubera is in no way, shape or form a cure for people with type 1 diabetes, it is a treatment delivered in a non-physiological manner. Regarding dosages, I never said it was complicated (although some on Wall Street did), what I said was that few doctors want to compute a dosage for Exubera in mg users vs. the global standard of measure.<BR/><BR/>The Exubera inhaler could only dispense insulin only in increments of 3 or 9 units, which rendered it useless for the majority of patients with type 1 diabetes who are sensitive to even tiny changes in dosage (75% of all insulin sales are to patients with type 1 according to the CDC). The decision to abandon the worldwide standard of measure (units) to mg. was a dumb decision which proved the company did not understand the market, if they had, they would have realized they were not changing the paradigm, but making life more difficult for millions of physicians.Scott Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03286529314567223617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16774010.post-49671744566453844012007-10-20T13:49:00.000-04:002007-10-20T13:49:00.000-04:00According to the New York Times, Pfizer spent roug...According to the New York Times, Pfizer spent roughly 2.8 billion on Exubera, from concept to research & development and marketing. 2.8 BILLION greenbacks folks, down the tubes. If Phizer had spent or donated just a twelfth of that towards the development of an insulin delivery system that didn't involve needles or cannulas or something that looks like it would be sold at a head shop, they might have made a better investment. Now that all of the major players in the insulin cartel have seen their revenue from insuin taper off or flatline (the Humulin you mention would probably be the exception), maybe it's time that these companies step out on a limb and start funding the R&D of start-ups that actually want to cure the problem, rather than perpetuate it. Or maybe come up with a better solution for the neglected and forgotten Type 1 consumers that they have conveniently taken for granted all this time. Because if someone comes up with something that works, and I mean REALLY works for those of us that comprise 75% of the insulin-purchasing public, all of them will be in a world of hurt.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16774010.post-7201442928375132732007-10-19T16:28:00.000-04:002007-10-19T16:28:00.000-04:00Bernard, we're in agreement on this. I don't like...Bernard, we're in agreement on this. I don't like to see innovation stifled, only I would have preferred to see Pfizer listen to those of us they were hoping would buy that product! Jenny, you have to love a moniker like that, look who's laughing now!Scott Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03286529314567223617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16774010.post-61519288168451440242007-10-18T10:48:00.000-04:002007-10-18T10:48:00.000-04:00The dosing was insane. Dosing a bolus insulin base...The dosing was insane. Dosing a bolus insulin based on the patient's weight? <BR/><BR/>HUH??????<BR/><BR/>I was quoted in Business Week when Exubera launched as a "typical patient" who wouldn't use it, though unfortunately the journalist did not quote WHY I thought it bad, which was the dosing nightmare. <BR/><BR/>One angry investors labeled me "an idiot with a computer" a moniker I've treasured ever since.Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17384082448952856117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16774010.post-653384117550471432007-10-18T10:23:00.000-04:002007-10-18T10:23:00.000-04:00The fact that they're dropping Exubera doesn't sur...The fact that they're dropping Exubera doesn't surprise me at all.<BR/><BR/>The concept is good, that is an alternate way to deliver insulin. But the mechanism was very poorly designed. <BR/><BR/>I wish they'd spent the same amount of money on researching something towards a cure. Oh well.Bernardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14936264471078732019noreply@blogger.com