Product Launch Tracker: Excitement among HCPs as FDA approves Kisunla for early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease

During July 2024 CREATION.co tracked the global conversations of 1,318 healthcare professionals (HCPs) who posted 1,898 times about the launches and approvals of new products.

On 02 July, the FDA approved Lilly’s donanemab (Kisunla) injection for the treatment of early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease. 240 HCPs shared this approval 287 times, with most of the activity occurring on July 2nd and peaking on July 3rd, as it provided them with a second treatment option for patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Some HCPs also discussed the approval alongside information about the side effects associated with Kisunla.

FDA approves treatment for adults with Alzheimer’s disease https://t.co/ic6z38bCIj
Ksunla

— Luciane Farias Sena (@luciedibou) July 2, 2024

Exciting new options for patients with early #Alzheimer's disease!

Eli Lilly's #Kisunla (#donanemab) was just approved this morning by the #FDA for treatment of early AD.

This makes 2 disease-modifying amyloid-targeting therapies now available to patients with early #AD, as… pic.twitter.com/wkzYqDql0H

— Suzie Bash (@suzie_bash) July 2, 2024

On 23 July, HCPs shared the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) approval of semaglutide to reduce the risk of serious heart problems in obese or overweight adults. HCPs primarily reshared a post by Kamlesh Khunti, a Specialist in Diabetes and vascular medicine in The United Kingdom who mentioned the MHRA approval. Additionally, HCPs reshared a post by a cardiovascular Pharmacist, Rani Khatib, who not only highlighted the approval but also mentioned two barriers: ‘shortage of GLP1 agonists’ and ‘poor access due to limited Tier 3 weight management services’, as discussed in an article from The Pharmaceutical Journal.

MHRA approves semaglutide to reduce risk of serious heart problems in obese or overweight adultshttps://t.co/p0SBgp56vl@ClareHambling pic.twitter.com/p67fSAy8Fv

— Prof Kamlesh Khunti (@kamleshkhunti) July 23, 2024

@PJOnline_News
MHRA approves semaglutide to prevent CV events in overweight and obese adults – The Pharmaceutical Journal
Two barriers:
1) shortage of GLP1 agonists
2) poor access due to limited Tier 3 weight management services.

We need to innovate!!https://t.co/ZyneRUG9A5

— Dr Rani Khatib FESC (@DrRaniKhatib) July 26, 2024

On 29 July, the FDA approved the Shield test from Guardant Health, the first blood test approved as a primary screening option for colorectal cancer. Many HCPs shared this news, emphasising its significance in the field of liquid biopsy and its importance for newly diagnosed patients.

The @US_FDA has approved the Shield test from @GuardantHealth, the 1st blood test approved as a primary screening option for colorectal cancer.

Big news for the field of #liquidbiopsy; via @BusinessWire @OncoAlert @OncologyTimes @OncLive @isliquidbiopsy @KimmieNgMD…

— Toni Choueiri, MD (@DrChoueiri) July 29, 2024

Over 30% of Americans 50+ do not meet colorectal cancer screening guidelines. That number is higher among even younger people, especially as recs change in real time.

Which makes today’s landmark FDA approval of a new blood test for screening such important news for patients!…

— Dr. Vin Gupta (@VinGuptaMD) July 29, 2024

On the last day of the month, 22 HCPs reshared posts from Vincent Rajkumar and FDA Oncology about the approval of Johnson and Johnson’s daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj in combination with bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone for the treatment of multiple myeloma. One haematologist, Alexandros Alexandropoulos, reshared the approval post from another HCP, saying, ‘EMA, now it’s your turn!’.

FDA approves Dara-VRd for newly diagnosed myeloma.

Quads have become standard of care. Based on 4 phase III trials I recommend Quads for all newly diagnosed patients except those who are frail. See thread. https://t.co/8Nf9ZSPl1r

— Vincent Rajkumar (@VincentRK) July 31, 2024

The three most shared stories from HCPs discussing product launches in July were:

• A CBS News article on the FDA approval of a new Alzheimer’s treatment, donanemab from Eli Lilly.
• An article in Science highlights the use of lymphocytes as a living drug for cancer. On February 15, 2024, the FDA approved lifileucel, marking it as the first cellular therapy for solid tumours.
• An FDA press release announcing the approval of daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj with bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone for multiple myeloma.

Each month, CREATION.co tracks the HCP conversation relating to new product launches.

You can keep up to date with this and a variety of other topics including virtual congress, healthcare changes since the pandemic, product development and therapy area-specific insights within the Tracking section of CREATION Knowledge, or sign up to receive our monthly eJournal with all of our latest HCP insights. 

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Methodology

• CREATION Pinpoint® listened to the discussions amongst online HCPs of pharmaceutical product launches and drug approvals between 1 July and 30 July 2024.  

• The data included mentions of drug approvals by the FDA, EMA, MHRA, NICE, and CHMP, as well as HCPs’ use of the phrase ‘drug approval’ in their posts.

• Between 1 and 30 July 2024, 1,318 online HCPs worldwide made 1,898 references to new pharmaceutical product launches and drug approvals.