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Optime Care, Specialty Pharmacy Patient Management Organization Announces Enhanced Partnership with Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for Rezlidhia™ Patients

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Optime Care has partnered with Rigel Pharmaceuticals to provide comprehensive patient support services for Rezlidhia™ (olutasidenib), an FDA-approved treatment for acute myeloid leukemia in patients with IDH1 mutations. This collaboration will enable enhanced patient management through services including medication fulfillment and prior authorization support. Rigel Pharmaceuticals emphasizes the importance of Optime Care's expertise in rare diseases to improve therapeutic outcomes for Rezlidhia patients. The partnership reflects a commitment to advancing treatment journeys for those affected by acute myeloid leukemia.

Positive
  • Partnership with Optime Care enhances patient support for Rezlidhia™ treatment.
  • Optime Care's expertise in rare diseases improves patient outcomes.
  • Comprehensive service offerings include prescription fulfillment and prior authorization support.
Negative
  • Increased risk of differentiation syndrome and hepatotoxicity associated with Rezlidhia™ treatment.
  • Clinical trial data reports 16% of patients experienced differentiation syndrome.

ST. LOUIS, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Optime Care, a member of the AscellaHealth Family of Companies, today announced a contractual partnership with Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., bringing its full suite patient support/HUB service capabilities to support Rezlidhia™(olutasidenib), a recent FDA-approved treatment for adult patients with relapse or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with a susceptible isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 (IDH1) mutation as detected by an FDA-approved test. Optime Care’s services for life sciences manufacturers include pre-commercialization and market access expertise, exclusive distribution partnerships, national medication fulfillment and high-touch patient support and HUB services for enhanced patient outcomes.

Brandon Salke, general manager and pharmacist-in-charge, says, “Our dedicated team of highly experienced nurse navigators and case managers looks forward to implementing a custom, branded program for Rigel Pharmaceuticals, enabling Rezlidhia™ patients to experience optimal therapeutic outcomes and the best possible treatment journey.”

Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has a long-standing relationship with Optime Care and has selected them for the management of Rezlidhia™ patients based upon its rare disease expertise and comprehensive suite of integrated patient management and HUB services including distribution, patient intake, prescription fulfillment, prior authorization support, custom clinical programs, reimbursement services and financial assistance.

Scott Yohe, Vice President Market Access at Rigel Pharmaceuticals, says, “We are excited to work with Optime Care in the complete management of our Rezlidhia™ patients. Optime Care’s patient-first and collaborative approach to patient management of rare disease patients enables us to take advantage of their comprehensive expertise and knowledge which are critical to ensuring that Rezlidhia™ patients receive the best care possible for an optimal treatment journey and enhanced clinical outcomes.”

About REZLIDHIA™

INDICATION

REZLIDHIA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with a susceptible isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 (IDH1) mutation as detected by an FDA-approved test.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: DIFFERENTIATION SYNDROME

Differentiation syndrome, which can be fatal, can occur with REZLIDHIA treatment. Symptoms may include dyspnea, pulmonary infiltrates/pleuropericardial effusion, Kidney injury, hypotension, fever, and weight gain. If differentiation syndrome is suspected, withhold REZLIDHIA and initiate treatment with corticosteroids and hemodynamic monitoring until symptom resolution.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Differentiation Syndrome

REZLIDHIA can cause differentiation syndrome. In the clinical trial of REZLIDHIA in patients with relapsed or refractory AML, differentiation syndrome occurred in 16% of patients, with grade 3 or 4 differentiation syndrome occurring in 8% of patients treated, and fatalities in 1% of patients. Differentiation syndrome is associated with rapid proliferation and differentiation of myeloid cells and may be life-threatening or fatal. Symptoms of differentiation syndrome in patients treated with REZLIDHIA included leukocytosis, dyspnea, pulmonary infiltrates/pleuropericardial effusion, kidney injury, fever, edema, pyrexia, and weight gain. Of the 25 patients who experienced differentiation syndrome, 19 (76%) recovered after treatment or after dose interruption of REZLIDHIA. Differentiation syndrome occurred as early as 1 day and up to 18 months after REZLIDHIA initiation and has been observed with or without concomitant leukocytosis.

If differentiation syndrome is suspected, temporarily withhold REZLIDHIA and initiate systemic corticosteroids (e.g., dexamethasone 10 mg IV every 12 hours) for a minimum of 3 days and until resolution of signs and symptoms. If concomitant leukocytosis is observed, initiate treatment with hydroxyurea, as clinically indicated. Taper corticosteroids and hydroxyurea after resolution of symptoms. Differentiation syndrome may recur with premature discontinuation of corticosteroids and/or hydroxyurea treatment. Institute supportive measures and hemodynamic monitoring until improvement; withhold dose of REZLIDHIA and consider dose reduction based on recurrence.

Hepatotoxicity

REZLIDHIA can cause hepatotoxicity, presenting as increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT), increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST), increased blood alkaline phosphatase, and/or elevated bilirubin. Of 153 patients with relapsed or refractory AML who received REZLIDHIA, hepatotoxicity occurred in 23% of patients; 13% experienced grade 3 or 4 hepatotoxicity. One patient treated with REZLIDHIA in combination with azacitidine in the clinical trial, a combination for which REZLIDHIA is not indicated, died from complications of drug-induced liver injury. The median time to onset of hepatotoxicity in patients with relapsed or refractory AML treated with REZLIDHIA was 1.2 months (range: 1 day to 17.5 months) after REZLIDHIA initiation, and the median time to resolution was 12 days (range: 1 day to 17 months). The most common hepatotoxicities were elevations of ALT, AST, blood alkaline phosphatase, and blood bilirubin.

Monitor patients frequently for clinical symptoms of hepatic dysfunction such as fatigue, anorexia, right upper abdominal discomfort, dark urine, or jaundice. Obtain baseline liver function tests prior to initiation of REZLIDHIA, at least once weekly for the first two months, once every other week for the third month, once in the fourth month, and once every other month for the duration of therapy. If hepatic dysfunction occurs, withhold, reduce, or permanently discontinue REZLIDHIA based on recurrence/severity.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

The most common (≥20%) adverse reactions, including laboratory abnormalities, were aspartate aminotransferase increased, alanine aminotransferase increased, potassium decreased, sodium decreased, alkaline phosphatase increased, nausea, creatinine increased, fatigue/malaise, arthralgia, constipation, lymphocytes increased, bilirubin increased, leukocytosis, uric acid increased, dyspnea, pyrexia, rash, lipase increased, mucositis, diarrhea and transaminitis.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Avoid concomitant use of REZLIDHIA with strong or moderate CYP3A inducers.

Avoid concomitant use of REZLIDHIA with sensitive CYP3A substrates unless otherwise instructed in the substrates prescribing information. If concomitant use is unavoidable, monitor patients for loss of therapeutic effect of these drugs.

LACTATION

Advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with REZLIDHIA and for 2 weeks after the last dose.

GERIATRIC USE

No overall differences in effectiveness were observed between patients 65 years and older and younger patients. Compared to patients younger than 65 years of age, an increase inincidence of hepatotoxicity and hypertension was observed in patients ≥65 years of age.

HEPATIC IMPAIRMENT

In patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment, closely monitor for increased probability of differentiation syndrome.

Click here for Full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING.

To report side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA, visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088).

REZLIDHIA is a trademark of Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

About Optime Care

Optime Care, Inc. is a nationally recognized specialty pharmacy, distribution and patient management organization offering a suite of comprehensive services tailored to maximize the therapeutic opportunities for the treatment of orphan and rare disorders. Our executive team has partnered in the launch and management of over 40 orphan products and programs while consistently implementing the best brand services for the community. Our experience with small patient populations, coupled with our strategic partnership with AscellaHealth, enhances our services and ability to serve the specialty pharmacy market. Optime Care has dual-accreditation from the Utilization Review Accreditation Commission (URAC) for compliance with specialty pharmacy and the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) for specialty pharmacy services that demonstrate a commitment to providing quality care and services to consumers. https://www.optimecare.com/

About Rigel

Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: RIGL) is a biotechnology company dedicated to discovering, developing and providing novel small molecule drugs that significantly improve the lives of patients with hematologic disorders, cancer, and rare immune diseases.

Founded in 1996, Rigel is based in South San Francisco, California. For more information on Rigel, the Company's marketed products and pipeline of potential products, visit www.rigel.com.

Media:

Caroline Chambers

CPR Communications

cchambers@cpronline.com

201.641.1911 x 21



Marketing/ Other Inquiries:

Darcey McDermott, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer

AscellaHealth Family of Companies

darcey.mcdermott@ascellahealth.com

Source: Optime Care, Inc.

FAQ

What is the partnership between Rigel Pharmaceuticals and Optime Care?

Rigel Pharmaceuticals has partnered with Optime Care to provide full suite patient support services for Rezlidhia™, aimed at improving treatment outcomes for patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

How does Rezlidhia™ work?

Rezlidhia™ (olutasidenib) is indicated for treating adult patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia who have a susceptible IDH1 mutation.

What are the common side effects of Rezlidhia™?

Common adverse reactions include hepatotoxicity, differentiation syndrome, nausea, and fatigue.

What risks are associated with Rezlidhia™ treatment?

Risks include differentiation syndrome, which can be life-threatening, and hepatotoxicity, affecting liver function.

What support services does Optime Care provide?

Optime Care offers medication fulfillment, patient intake, prescription support, and financial assistance as part of their services.

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