Pfizer - Exubera: US launch delay... to allow a good first impression!?

Pfizer's top brass told analysts yesterday that they will delay the launch of its inhaled insulin Exubera until September, several weeks later than originally planned.

Previously, Pfizer said the drug would be available in mid-July.

They said that they wanted to make sure U.S. educational programs for doctors, pharmacists, diabetes educators and patients cover all the bases.

"We will never get a second chance" to introduce the first inhaled insulin, said Hank McKinnell, Pfizer's chairman and CEO, in a telephone conference call with analysts.

"Our education programs and manufacturing preparations are time-consuming, but we are taking the time necessary to do the job right," said Karen Katen, a vice chairman who is in charge of Pfizer's human-health products.

"We are working to meet not only initial demand for the medicine, but also continued demand from prescription refills.

Initial supplies of Exubera will be available across the U.S. beginning in September."

Pfizer will be providing "starter kits" to selected physicians next week. The kits will contain the dry-powder insulin that's administered through an inhaler.

The samples will be sent to doctors who are heavy prescribers of insulin to control diabetics' blood sugar levels.

Interestingly, they said they wouldn't be able to gauge its U.S. performance until late 2006 or early 2007. Why so much "wiggle room", guys?

The company didn't comment on Exubera's pricing, although at least one analyst has said it will be 33% to 40% higher than injectable insulin.

Source: The Street

Meanwhile, raw "feedback" from the US sales reps launch event continues.