Regeneron/Sanofi press release on Praluent approval and pricing

Officer, Regeneron. "Praluent represents the culmination of more than a decade of tireless work to translate the genetic-based discovery of PCSK9 into an innovative medicine that brings meaningful value to patients." The approval of Praluent was based on data from the pivotal Phase 3 ODYSSEY program, which showed consistent, positive results compared to placebo, which included current standard of care therapy (statins). In the ODYSSEY LONG TERM trial which evaluated Praluent 150 mg every two weeks, Praluent reduced LDL cholesterol by 58 percent versus placebo at week 24 when added to current standard of care, including maximally tolerated statins. n ODYSSEY COMBO I, Praluent 75 mg every two weeks as an adjunct to statins reduced LDL cholesterol by an additional 46 percent compared to placebo at week 12. At week 24 in the same trial, Praluent reduced LDL cholesterol by 43 percent compared to placebo. In this study, if additional LDL cholesterol lowering was required based on pre-specified criteria at week 8, Praluent was up-titrated to 150 mg at week 12 for the remainder of the trial. Eighty-three percent of patients remained on their initial 75 mg dose. Praluent is generally well-tolerated with an acceptable safety profile. Local injection site reactions including redness, itching, swelling or pain/tenderness where the injection is given were the most common events (7.2 percent with Praluent versus 5.1 percent with placebo) and resulted in a low discontinuation rate that was comparable to placebo (0.2 percent with Praluent versus 0.4 percent with placebo). Patients receiving Praluent had a greater number of injection site reactions, had more reports of associated symptoms, and had reactions of longer average duration than patients receiving placebo. Other common adverse events occurring more frequently in patients with Praluent than placebo included symptoms of the common cold and flu or flu-like symptoms. The companies carefully considered the potential medical value that Praluent offers patients in determining the Wholesale Acquisition Cost (WAC). The U.S. WAC price of Praluent is $40 per day ($1,120 every 28 days) for both the 75 mg and 150 mg doses, making Praluent the lowest priced patient-administered monoclonal antibody therapy on an annualized basis. Actual costs to patients, payers and health systems are anticipated to be lower as WAC pricing does not reflect discounts or rebates. Out-of-pocket costs to patients will vary depending on insurance status and eligibility for patient assistance. Sanofi and Regeneron are committed to ensuring that patients in the U.S. who are prescribed Praluent are able to access the medicine and receive the support they may need. The companies will launch a comprehensive program that offers support, training and follow up for patients at every step of the process. The program will provide patient assistance to uninsured or underinsured patients, including providing free medicine to eligible patients, and can help identify coverage options for out-of-pocket costs. Additional services include educational information, clinical support for physicians, nurses and pharmacists, as well as reimbursement services, including co-pay support for eligible patients and information about insurance eligibility support. For more information, please call 1-844-PRALUENT (1-844-772-5836 . Earlier today, the companies announced that the European Medicine Agency's (EMA's) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has adopted a positive opinion for the marketing authorization of Praluent, recommending its approval for use in certain adult patients with hypercholesterolemia. The European Commission (EC) is expected to make a final decision on the Marketing Authorization Application for Praluent in the European Union in September 2015. Investor Relations Conference Call on Praluent Sanofi and Regeneron will be hosting a conference call for the financial community on Praluent® (alirocumab) Injection for the treatment of high LDL cholesterol in adult patients. The conference call will take place on Friday, July 24, 2015 (21:30 CET / 20:30 BST/ 15:30 EDT / 12:30 PDT). The call will be available through audio webcast at www.sanofi.com and www.regeneron.com and also via the following telephone numbers: France: +33 (0) 170 80 71 53 HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_026365