Antibody Drug Conjugates | Access and Reimbursement | US | 2016
Antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) are a class of drug therapies that combine the targeting abilities of monoclonal antibodies with the cancer-killing activities of cytotoxic agents. ADCs can potentially reduce the effect cytotoxic therapies have on healthy cells by delivering chemotherapy directly to cancer cells. Although their development has been tainted by product withdrawals (e.g., Pfizer’s Mylotarg [gemtuzumab ozogamicin] for the treatment of AML), the success of Genentech/Roche’s Kadcyla (trastuzumab emtansine; T-DM1) in HER2-positive breast cancer and the recent approval of Seattle Genetics’ Adcetris for relapsed Hodgkin’s lymphoma and systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma have rejuvenated the ADC drug class. The report captures the prescribers’ and payers’ opinion on market uptake of ADCs for breast cancer and hematological malignancies. While there is room for more efficacious and safer therapy options, devising a smart pricing strategy for novel ADCs will be crucial to ensure market access, secure reimbursement, maximize uptake, and realize commercial potential.
