XPOVIO, from Karyopharm Therapeutics, is the first and only prescription medicine approved in the U.S. for the treatment of multiple myeloma and it is the first approved cancer drug that targets nuclear export dysregulation, which is increasingly recognized as the fundamental mechanism in the generation of malignant cells.
XPOVIO became commercially available in the U.S. in July 2019 with special emphasis being devoted to the approximately 1,300 accounts who treat about 80% of all multiple myeloma patients. Karyopharm Therapeutics stated that the wholesale (WAC) price of XPOVIO will be $22K per month.
AmerisourceBergen’s US Bioservices is one of three specialty pharmacies authorized to distribute XPOVIO, with McKesson’s Biologics being another.
AmerisourceBergen’s corporate strategy includes optimizing and growing its Global Commercialization Services business. The consulting service businesses help global pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturers commercialize their products in the channel.
The specialty market is experiencing significant growth as an increasing number of breakthrough medicines, such as XPOVIO, continue to be launched. AmerisourceBergen’s expertise and capabilities empower it to support the complex solutions needed in both specialty distribution and pre and post-commercialization services.
The company experienced double-digit growth in the second quarter of fiscal 2019 in its specialty distribution business, which includes oncology and physician-administered products.
AmerisourceBergen’s HUB services, in addition to the dispensing of XPOVIO by US Bioservices, will provide additional commercialization services, including those provided by:
- ASD Healthcare – specialty pharmaceutical distributor
- ION Solutions – GPO contracting integrated dispensing solutions for community oncology practices
- ICS – a pharmaceutical third-party logistics provider who will support distribution to specialty pharmacies and distributors