March 2, 2022 – Biologics by McKesson, an independent specialty pharmacy specializing in oncology and rare disease areas, was selected by Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. as a specialty pharmacy provider for PYRUKYND® (mitapivat) for the treatment of hemolytic anemia in adults with pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency. PYRUKYND is the first and only approved disease-modifying therapy for this rare, debilitating, lifelong hemolytic anemia.
PYRUKYND, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Feb. 17, 2022, is an orally administered, small molecule, pyruvate kinase activator. PYRUKYND was reviewed by the FDA under Priority Review, which is granted to investigational medicines that treat a serious condition and offer significant improvements in safety or effectiveness. PYRUKYND was previously granted Orphan Drug designation by the FDA, a status for medicines intended to treat rare diseases that affect fewer than 200,000 individuals.
“Patients with PK deficiency currently manage their condition with red blood cell transfusions and splenectomy, which are both associated with short-and long-term risks,” said Ashleigh Burdette, senior director of Clinical Innovation at Biologics. “We are honored to work with Agios to make this important new oral treatment available as the first therapy approved for PK deficiency. Biologics is proud to offer a robust care plan to ensure that these patients get the level of care they need.”
Biologics specialty pharmacy is committed to and recognized for its level of customer service as well as its innovative, high-touch and multidisciplinary patient-centric approach. Each team includes pharmacists with in-depth knowledge of therapies, experienced nurses and financial counselors who are familiar with various financial assistance programs and organizations that help patients.