Optime Care Expands Partnership with Rigel for GAVRETO® Patients

Optime Care, a renowned specialty pharmacy and part of AscellaHealth, has announced a new contractual partnership with Rigel Pharmaceuticals, effective July 1, 2024. This collaboration brings Optime Care's comprehensive services to support patients using GAVRETO® (pralsetinib), a targeted oral therapy for certain cancers linked to abnormal RET genes.

Optime Care offers life sciences manufacturers a range of services that include pre-commercialization and market access expertise, exclusive distribution partnerships, and national medication fulfillment. Their approach ensures seamless treatment through high-touch patient support and HUB services aimed at improving patient outcomes.

Stephanie Wasilewski, PharmD, General Manager of Optime Care, expressed excitement about expanding their partnership with Rigel Pharmaceuticals to support GAVRETO® patients. She emphasized that their comprehensive services and commitment to personalized care optimize therapeutic outcomes throughout the treatment journey.

Optime Care's specialists are highly skilled in communication, providing personalized clinical guidance and ongoing support for patients and their families. Their expertise in complex, chronic diseases enhances patient access to essential therapies, streamlines care coordination, and assists with insurance coverage. They also help identify financial assistance programs to address patients' financial needs.

Rigel Pharmaceuticals chose Optime Care for managing GAVRETO® patients due to the company's proven expertise in handling specialized, complex diseases and its comprehensive suite of integrated patient management and HUB services. These services include distribution, patient intake, prescription fulfillment, prior authorization support, custom clinical programs, reimbursement services, and financial assistance.

Scott Yohe, VP of Market Access at Rigel Pharmaceuticals, praised Optime Care for their exceptional expertise and commitment to patient care. He noted that Optime Care's comprehensive services ensure patients have access to necessary resources and guidance, leading to improved therapeutic outcomes. He expressed excitement about strengthening their collaboration and continuing to positively impact the lives of those affected by cancers caused by abnormal RET genes.

Optime Care, Inc., an AscellaHealth Company, is a nationally recognized specialty pharmacy, distribution, and patient management organization. They offer comprehensive services tailored to maximize therapeutic opportunities for treating orphan and rare disorders. Their executive team has launched and managed over 40 orphan products and programs, consistently implementing the best brand services for the community. Optime Care holds dual accreditation from the Utilization Review Accreditation Commission (URAC) for compliance with specialty pharmacy and the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) for specialty pharmacy services, demonstrating a commitment to providing quality care and services to consumers.

Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and providing novel small molecule drugs that significantly improve the lives of patients with hematologic disorders, cancer, and rare immune diseases. Founded in 1996 and based in South San Francisco, California, Rigel is dedicated to advancing its pipeline of potential products and marketed products.

GAVRETO® (pralsetinib) is a prescription medicine used to treat certain cancers caused by abnormal rearranged during transfection (RET) genes. It is used in adults with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has spread and in adults and children 12 years and older with advanced thyroid cancer or thyroid cancer that has spread, particularly when other treatments have failed. Healthcare providers perform tests to confirm if GAVRETO® is suitable for the patient.

The safety and effectiveness of GAVRETO® in treating cancers caused by abnormal RET genes in children with NSCLC or those under 12 years with thyroid cancer remain unknown. GAVRETO® was approved based on tumor size reduction or disappearance after treatment, with ongoing studies to confirm its benefits.

GAVRETO® may cause serious side effects, including lung problems, high blood pressure, liver problems, bleeding issues, tumor lysis syndrome, and wound healing complications. Patients should inform their healthcare provider about all medical conditions and medications before starting GAVRETO®, and report any side effects experienced during treatment. Common side effects include muscle and joint pain, constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, swelling, fever, and cough. GAVRETO® may also impact fertility in both males and females.