Pfizer's Hympavzi Approved at $795,600, Disrupts Hemophilia Market

Six months following the successful approval of Beqvez, a gene therapy for hemophilia B, Pfizer is on the verge of another significant product indication approval. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has officially approved Hympavzi (marstacimab-hncq), a new anti-tissue factor pathway inhibitor. This medication is specifically aimed at treating patients aged 12 and older with hemophilia A or B, particularly those who have not developed antibodies from previous inhibitor therapies.

Hympavzi offers a groundbreaking treatment option as a once-a-week subcutaneous injection, significantly reducing the frequency of bleeding episodes associated with clotting disorders. This innovative drug is the first hemophilia treatment in the United States to utilize a pre-filled automatic injection pen, providing a more convenient and efficient alternative for patients who previously needed regular protein injections to promote blood clotting.

Pfizer has announced a wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) of $795,600 for Hympavzi. This pricing is in line with the $3.5 million previously set for Beqvez and comparable to the cost CSL and uniQure established for Hemgenix, their Hemophilia B gene therapy drug. Pfizer emphasized that Hympavzi's cost is consistent with the WAC pricing of existing preventive treatments for hemophilia A or B available on the market. The company anticipates launching the product this quarter.

In an October 11 release, Dr. Suchitra Acharya, director of Northville Health's Center for Hemostasis and Thrombosis, highlighted the significance of Hympavzi's launch. Dr. Acharya stated, "The introduction of Hympavzi addresses an important need for these patients and alleviates the burden of current treatments, especially for those requiring frequent, time-consuming intravenous infusion therapy regimens. This represents a substantial advancement."

Hympavzi's approval not only introduces new treatment options for individuals with hemophilia but also brings innovative treatment models to the healthcare system. These advancements are expected to enhance patients' quality of life and could have a notable impact on the entire field of hemophilia treatment.