Agios Pharmaceuticals’ Aqvesme to be introduced at $425K per patient per year

At investor presentation, CFO Cecilia Jones stated: “This launch represents a series of firsts for the treatment of thalassemia, addressing broad patient population for the first time in the treatment of this rare disease. The market opportunity is meaningful, with approximately 4,000 addressable patients at launch: diagnosed, managed adults living with both non-transfusion-dependent and transfusion-dependent alpha or beta thalassemia. To capture this opportunity, we have approximately 40 dedicated sales representatives ready to go and have identified and refined a validated list of target prescribers. Engagement with HCPs will begin now to ensure smooth onboarding where possible ahead of Aqvesme availability in late January. Aqvesme will be introduced at approximately $425,000 per patient per year on a WAC basis, reflecting its differentiated benefit and value to the healthcare system in addressing critical gaps in thalassemia care.” Comments taken from conference call. Shares of Agios are up 12% at $27.59 in early trading following FDA approval of Aqvesme in anemia patients.