OptumRx released a list of five new and potentially expensive treatments coming to the market in 2019 that healthcare companies should pay attention to. They're listed below:
1. Golodirsen. The drug is a gene therapy to treat Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a fatal disease characterized by muscle deterioration. It is expected to cost $300,000 per year for the average patient. It is manufactured by Sarepta Therapeutics.
2. Siponimod. Developed by Novartis, Siponimod is a drug that may help delay the onset of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, which occurs in patients that first have relapsing-remitting MS. If approved, it would be the first oral disease-modifying therapy for patients with the disease.
3. Risankizumab. The drug would treat plaque psoriasis, an autoimmune disease. It is also being evaluated for potentially helping to treat other autoimmune conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
4. Ultomiris. Approved by the FDA in December 2018, Ultomiris is a drug that helps treat paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, a rare blood disorder. According to its maker, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, the drug lasts longer than its competition in the market, which means patients can receive fewer doses. Its estimated to cost about $458,000 per year for the average patient.
5. Zynquista. If approved, the drug would be the first oral antidiabetic drug used to control blood glucose levels in combination with insulin for Type 1 diabetes. The hope is to reduce the number of daily insulin injections for patients. The FDA recently rejected the oral treatment in its current form; however, the drug manufacturers may continue to work toward approval.
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