Praluent gains exclusive status in exchange for lower net price

Express Scripts Holding Co. (NASDAQ:ESRX) is the first PBM to take Sanofi (Euronext:SAN; NYSE:SNY) and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:REGN) up on their offer of a reduced net price for Praluent alirocumab in exchange for lower utilization management criteria for the PCSK9 inhibitor. The partners are also getting a sweeter deal than they had publicly pitched to the payer community in March with exclusive status for Praluent on the PBM’s National Preferred Formulary and coverage for all patients included on the drug’s label. Express Scripts will also pass a portion of the savings on to patients.

Sanofi and Regeneron had called on payers in March to remove barriers to access of Praluent in high-risk patients in exchange for a lower price based on two pieces of new evidence: the results from the ODYSSEY outcomes trial, which showed a reduction in the risk of major cardiovascular adverse events and all-cause mortality; and an updated analysis by the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (see BioCentury Extra, March 10)...