MannKind Corporation (MNKD), Pfizer Inc. (PFE): Why Afrezza May Not Work

The other problem was the drug delivery itself. Exubera’s dosing was confusing, given a non-linear change versus comparable amounts of insulin. Compared to an injection syringe where you can precisely regulate quantity, Exubera’s dosing could be more hit-or-miss for patients. Afrezza, now, is much more carefully developed using its proprietary Technosphere technology.

So, Afrezza is definitely a better product than Exubera, but MannKind Corporation (NASDAQ:MNKD) has not addressed the main problem with the business.

Why Afrezza may not work
What excited investors in the insulin inhaler business probably fail to realize is that with thinning needles and years of practice, as well as the gravity of the disease situation, sticking a needle once or a few times daily isn’t really that much of a daunting task. It is an irritant, but it is not worth paying more for an inhaler version that could potentially create more problems than it solves.

This is the simple but apparently hard-to-understand reason why I think Afrezza will not perform up to expectations in the market. Sure, a few people with trypanophobia will probably buy the product — Exubera made about $12 million in sales before it was discontinued — but unless cost is low, effectiveness is increased manifold, and user safety is confident, there’s limited future for this market.

The article Will History Repeat for Inhaled Insulin? originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Kanak Kanti, De.

Kanak Kanti De has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.