CARY, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Biologics, Inc., a McKesson Specialty Health oncology pharmacy services company, has been selected by EMD Serono to be the exclusive specialty pharmacy provider for BAVENCIO (avelumab).
“Patients with metastatic MCC have had limited treatments available to them, and BAVENCIO will provide an exciting new option”
Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on March 23, 2017, BAVENCIO is a programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) blocking antibody indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC).
Patients with MCC have historically faced a poor prognosis, with less than 20% surviving longer than five years. BAVENCIO is the first FDA-approved treatment option for patients with this rare and aggressive form of skin canceri.
In an international, multicenter, open-label phase II trial of BAVENCIO, results showed an objective response rate (ORR) of 31.8%, with 9.1% achieving complete responses and 22.7% achieving partial responses. 78.6% of patients responded to treatment within seven weeks, with no unexpected safety signals reported. The most common adverse events reported were fatigue and infusion-related reactionsi.
“Patients with metastatic MCC have had limited treatments available to them, and BAVENCIO will provide an exciting new option,” said Brandon Tom, vice president, Biopharma Services, McKesson Specialty Health. “We are honored to be chosen as the exclusive specialty pharmacy provider for BAVENCIO and are prepared to support the clinical, financial and emotional needs of this patient population.”
Biologics’ oncology specialty pharmacy is supported by a multidisciplinary care team that includes a pharmacist, oncology nurse and financial counselor. Individualized care plans are developed to address the unique needs of each patient and to streamline communication back to the treating provider.
Physicians may submit prescriptions to Biologics via phone (800.850.4306), fax (800.823.4506) or eScribe. For electronic prescribing systems, physicians may search for Biologics within their EMR system.
About Biologics
Biologics, Inc. is an oncology pharmacy services company that empowers healthcare providers, payers and biopharma to optimize cancer care for the best possible outcomes – clinical, financial and emotional. Unifying fragmented healthcare services, Biologics brings efficiency and humanity to oncology care management by focusing on the patient’s best interest as the surest path to managing cost and risk.
Biologics is part of McKesson Specialty Health, a division of McKesson Corporation empowering the community patient care delivery system by helping community practices advance the science, technology and quality of care. Through innovative clinical research, business and operational solutions, facilitated by integrated technology systems, we focus on improving the financial health of our customers so they may provide the best care to their patients. Our combined organization will help better support patients and expedite access to oncology therapies. For more information, visit www.mckessonspecialtyhealth.com and www.biologicsinc.com.
McKesson Specialty Health
Claire Crye, 281-825-9927
claire.crye@mckesson.com
