Half of US neurologists expect to test Briumvi in the next 6 months

Most neurologists in the U.S. are aware of the recent approval of Briumvi (ublituximab-xiiy) for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and about half anticipate testing the therapy in the next six months, according to an analysis by market research company Spherix Global Insights.

The therapy, developed by TG Therapeutics, was approved in December for relapsing MS types, including clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting MS, and active secondary progressive MS.

While this approval made Briumvi the third CD20 inhibitor available for these indications, following Genentech’s Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) and Novartis’s Kesimpta (ofatumumab), TG Therapeutics has been highlighting the drug’s distinct properties.

For example, Briumvi is given in hour-long infusions every six months, while Kesimpta is injected under the skin every month, and Ocrevus requires longer infusions lasting two to 3.5 hours. Prior to Briumvi’s launch in the U.S., neurologists recognized that its dosing profile could provide a more convenient alternative to Ocrevus.

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Briumvi carries lowest list price among branded MS treatments

The recently approved drug also has the lowest list price for any branded MS therapy currently available for MS patients, costing about $59,000 per year. For comparison, Ocrevus, which is the least expensive after Briumvi, has a list price of about $75,000 each year.

To aid people with MS in the U.S. to access Briumvi, TG Therapeutics launched a patient support program. The program includes a quick-start initiative where patients can access the therapy promptly, even while insurance details are being worked out. The company also offers copay assistance for patients on all forms of commercial insurance.

After roughly one month of Briumvi’s launch in the U.S., Spherix surveyed more than 100 neurologists and MS specialists in the country to understand how healthcare professionals are responding to the treatment’s availability.

Around two-thirds reported being aware of Briumvi’s approval — which is comparable to those aware of Kesimpta’s approval about one month after its launch. However, compared with Kesimpta, fewer neurologists considered Briumvi a substantial advance over other MS treatments.

Spherix will probe neurologists on the importance of Briumvi’s unique features and whether these drive use in the coming months.

Briumvi is TG Therapeutics’ first entry into the MS field

Surveyed neurologists also considered that fewer patients were candidates for Briumvi when compared with once-monthly Kesimpta.

Nonetheless, as about half of neurologists expect to test Briumvi in the next six months, this represents an opportunity for Briumvi to enter the market, although its success will likely depend on whether neurologists value the treatment’s distinct features.

“Spherix will probe neurologists on the importance of Briumvi’s unique features and whether these drive use in the coming months,” the market research company wrote.

Because this is TG Therapeutics’ first foray into the MS field, Spherix is also planning to assess neurologists’ perceptions of the biopharmaceutical company’s launch execution and support.