CARY, N.C. (March 17, 2017) —Biologics, Inc., a McKesson Specialty Health oncology pharmacy services company, has been selected by Novartis to be a specialty pharmacy provider for KISQALI® (ribociclib).
Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on March 13, 2017, KISQALI is a kinase inhibitor indicated in combination with an aromatase inhibitor as initial endocrine-based therapy for the treatment of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer. KISQALI received Priority Review and Breakthrough Therapy designation from the FDA in August 2016 for its potential as an effective new treatment option for the continuing unmet need of the HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer population.
In 2017, more than 250,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S., making it the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women other than skin cancer.1 While death rates from breast cancer have been decreasing in recent decades, there is still significant need for new treatment options.
“We are excited to be part of this important launch and to add KISQALI to our extensive portfolio of breast cancer therapies,” said Brandon Tom, vice president, Biopharma Services, McKesson Specialty Health. “We look forward to helping breast cancer patients access this new treatment option through our high-touch, patient-centric care model.”
Results from the Phase III MONALEESA-2 clinical trial showed KISQALI plus letrozole reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 44% over letrozole alone, significantly extending progression-free survival.2 Patients receiving the combination therapy also experienced a higher objective response rate – 53% versus 37%.3
“It’s always encouraging when new treatments become available for patients,” said Joyce O’Shaughnessy, MD, senior author of the MONALESSA-2 clinical trial, medical oncologist with Texas Oncology, and chair of Breast Cancer Research for The US Oncology Network. “Extending a patient’s progression-free survival is motivating, and I look forward to continued progress in this area.”
Biologics’ oncology specialty pharmacy is supported by a multidisciplinary care team that includes a pharmacist, oncology nurse and financial counselor. Individualized care plans are developed to address the unique needs of each patient and to streamline communication back to the treating provider.
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 http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/understand_bc/statistics
2 https://www.novartis.com/news/media-releases/novartis-lee011-ribociclib-granted-fda-priority-review-first-line-treatment
3 http://www.ascopost.com/issues/october-25-2016/combination-of-ribociclib-and-letrozole-is-a-home-run-in-advanced-breast-cancer/