CARY, N.C. (October 11, 2017) —Biologics, Inc., a McKesson Specialty Health oncology pharmacy services company, has been selected by Eli Lilly and Company to be in the limited distribution network for VERZENIOTM (abemaciclib), Eli Lilly’s first oral oncolytic indicated for metastatic breast cancer.
Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on September 28, 2017, VERZENIO is a CDK inhibitor selective for CDK4 and CDK6. Rampant cell growth in many cancers is triggered by a loss of cell cycle regulation due to intensified signaling from CDK4 and CDK6. VERZENIO, an oral cell cycle inhibitor, obstructs the growth of cancer cells by specifically blocking cyclin-dependent kinases, CDK4 and CDK6. It is most active against Cyclin D1 and CDK4 in bioenzymatic assays. In breast cancer, Cyclin D1/CDK4 promotes phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein (Rb), cell proliferation and tumor growth. In hormone receptor-positive breast cancer cell lines, continual target inhibition by VERZENIO decreased phosphorylation of Rb, prompting cell cycle arrest.1
“This new agent gives metastatic breast cancer patients and their providers another treatment option for advanced disease,” said Brandon Tom, vice president, Biopharma Services, McKesson Specialty Health. “We look forward to offering these patients convenient access to this encouraging new therapy, while supporting them with our high-touch care model designed to drive optimal outcomes for patients.”
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, and this year roughly 252,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed.2 Approximately 154,000 people in the U.S. have metastatic breast cancer,3 disease that has spread beyond the breast to other organs in the body such as the bones, lungs, liver or brain. Roughly 20 to 30 percent of all early stage breast cancer cases diagnosed in the U.S. will become metastatic.4 Additionally, stage IV, or metastatic cancer, is initially diagnosed in about six percent of all new breast cancer cases.5
Biologics’ oncology specialty pharmacy is recognized throughout the industry for its high-touch customer service model that provides patient-centric care throughout the patient’s cancer journey. The company supports patients with a multidisciplinary care team that includes a pharmacist, oncology nurse and financial counselor. The team works together to develop individualized care plans that address the unique clinical, financial and emotional needs of each patient and that streamline communication back to the treating provider, supporting optimal outcomes.
Physicians may submit prescriptions to Biologics via phone (800-850-4306), fax (800-823-4506) or eScribe. For electronic prescribing systems, physicians may search for Biologics within their EMR system.
About Biologics
Biologics, Inc. is an oncology pharmacy services company that empowers healthcare providers, payers and biopharma to optimize cancer care for the best possible outcomes – clinical, financial and emotional. Unifying fragmented healthcare services, Biologics brings efficiency and humanity to oncology care management by focusing on the patient’s best interest as the surest path to managing cost and risk.
Biologics is part of McKesson Specialty Health, a division of McKesson Corporation empowering the community patient care delivery system by helping community practices advance the science, technology and quality of care. Through innovative clinical research, business and operational solutions, facilitated by integrated technology systems, we focus on improving the financial health of our customers so they may provide the best care to their patients. Our combined organization will help better support patients and expedite access to oncology therapies. For more information, visit www.McKessonspecialtyhealth.com and www.biologicsinc.com.
1. https://investor.lilly.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=1022428
2. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/about/how-common-is-breast-cancer.html
3. http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/RecommendedTreatmentsforMetastaticBreastCancer.html
4. http://www.mbcn.org/13-facts-about-metastatic-breast-cancer/
5. Ibid.