Biologics by McKesson Selected to Provide VONJO and PYRUKYND

Biologics by McKesson, an independent specialty pharmacy specializing in oncology and rare disease areas, was selected this month as a limited distribution provider for VONJO (along with Onco360), and as an exclusive distributor for PYRUKYND.

Biologics specializes in cancer and rare disease areas. The company’s goals are to simplify access to therapies and deliver personalized clinical care that helps patients understand how to take their medication, manage side effects and achieve the best-possible outcomes. Biologics also provides benefits investigation, assist with prior authorizations and helps patients find financial aid so they can afford their treatment.

Biologics was selected by CTI BioPharma Corp. as a specialty pharmacy provider for VONJO (pacritinib) for the treatment of intermediate or high-risk primary or secondary (post-polycythemia vera or post-essential thrombocythemia) myelofibrosis with a platelet count below 50 × 109/L. 

VONJO, approved by the FDA on February 28, 2022, is a kinase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of adults with intermediate or high-risk primary or secondary (post-polycythemia vera or post-essential thrombocythemia) myelofibrosis with a platelet count below 50 × 109/L. 

CTI BioPharma has identified a $3B potential total addressable market in myelofibrosis by 2026. CTI BioPharma plans to build awareness, drive adoption, and optimize patient access:

• Through CTI Access, a comprehensive patient support program.
• Provide high-touch support from experienced oncology case managers
• Provide robust financial assistance programs for eligible patients

Biologics was selected by Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. as the exclusive specialty pharmacy provider for PYRUKYND^® (mitapivat) for the treatment of hemolytic anemia in adults with pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency. PYRUKYND is the first and only approved disease-modifying therapy for this rare, debilitating, lifelong hemolytic anemia.

PYRUKYND was reviewed by the FDA under Priority Review, which is granted to investigational medicines that treat a serious condition and offer significant improvements in safety or effectiveness. PYRUKYND was previously granted Orphan Drug designation by the FDA, a status for medicines intended to treat rare diseases that affect fewer than 200,000 individuals.

Agios Pharmaceuticals plans to optimize the patient and provider journey:

• Diagnosis – Educating on disease burden and support for appropriate patient identification
• Prescribing – Activating physicians to prescribe and eligible patients to advocate for treatment through clinical data and messaging
• Access & Adherence – Patient support services geared towards providing disease education, access to PYRUKYND® and support with compliance

Takeaway: Biologics by McKesson continues to solidify its leadership position a provider for limited and exclusive drugs in the specialty pharmacy market