Top three prescription drugs you should know about

New drugs and drug technologies are transforming the way we treat illnesses, but navigating their complexities and costs can be overwhelming. The Optum Rx Drug Pipeline Insights Report™ is here to provide you with quarterly updates on upcoming drugs, detailing how they work and what they might cost. The spring edition highlights three innovative drugs coming to market during the second quarter of this year.

New hemophilia B gene therapy reduces need for clotting factor replacement therapy

Hemophilia B is an inherited bleeding disorder where blood does not clot properly due to a genetic mutation. The disease can be classified as mild, moderate or severe.

About 50% of the 5,000 Americans with hemophilia B have severe cases and can experience bleeding after a minor injury or even spontaneously.

Fidanacogene elaparvovec (brand name to be determined) is a one-time intravenous infusion that provides a naturally occurring coagulation gene that produces 8-12 times more clotting activity. Cost for the treatment is still being determined.

Vaccine uses gene editing to fight RSV

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common virus that causes mild, short-term, cold-like symptoms. In more severe cases, RSV can end in hospitalization or death. Older adults, infants and young children are most at risk for severe RSV infection.

Each year, between 60,000 to 120,000 older adults in the U.S. are hospitalized due to RSV and an estimated 6,000 to 10,000 die from the disease.

The Moderna mRNA-1345 (brand name to be determined) vaccine is designed to protect against RSV. After being administered, it instructs the body to make copies of a specific spike protein that’s present on the surface of RSV. This triggers the immune system to produce antibodies that targets this protein, so it’s trained to fight against RSV more effectively in the future.

Initial use of the vaccine will be limited to patients 60 years and older. Pricing is still being determined, but competitor vaccines cost between $280 and $295 for a one-time dose.

First new therapy to manage COPD in a decade

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a group of chronic lung diseases that causes breathing-related problems including emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

In 2022, 11.7 million people were diagnosed with the disease and the American Lung Association estimated it as the sixth overall leading cause of death in the U.S. in 2021.

Ensifentrine (brand name to be determined) is inhaled via nebulizer and targets two lung enzymes that ease inflammation, widen airways, and remove mucus and trapped particles from the airways. Cost is still being determined, but a related treatment is priced at $7,600 per year.

Read the full report for the break down on these drugs and what you can expect.