CarePartners Adds Yuflyma to its Cost Savings Program

Celltrion USA’s Yuflyma (adalimumab-aaty) has been added to CarePartners Specialty Pharmacy Cost Savings Programs. CarePartners is a specialty pharmacy business with 10 million plan members and provides specialty infusion, specialty pharmacy, and ambulatory infusion services.

Yuflyma (40 mg/0.4 mL) is biosimilar of AbbVie’s Humira (adalimumab) that was approved in May 2023 and launched in July 2023. It is a high-concentration and citrate-free formulation. More than 80% of patients treated with Humira in the United States rely on a high-concentration and citrate-free formulation. On Sept. 29, the FDA approved additional strengths of Yuflyma: 100 mg/mL in 20 mg and 80 mg strengths.

Celltrion is also seeking an interchangeability designation for Yuflyma, which is expected in the fourth quarter of 2024. So far, of the nine Humira biosimilars, only two have been approved as interchangeable.

Yuflyma has a price of $6,576.50 per month, which is about 5% off Humira’s price. Celltrion offers $0 copay assistance through the Celltrion CONNECT Patient Support program, as well as patient assistance.

It is available in two device types — auto-injector and pre-filled syringe options. Yuflyma was approved for several indications including rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, uveitis, and hidradenitis suppurative.

Tom Nusbickel

“Celltrion is well positioned for continued growth in the U.S. market, which will increase competition and, ultimately, access to high-quality biosimilars and biologic products at a reduced cost,” Tom Nusbickel, chief commercial officer at Celltrion USA, told Formulary Watch. To further enhance patient access, we are increasing our manufacturing capacity and strengthening our supply chain resilience to ensure delivery of patient treatment.”

CarePartners offers cost-saving options to plan sponsors, PBMs, health plans and employers, focusing on chronic and complex therapies. It works with clients to to place target products on their formularies. The use of prior authorization and other utilization management programs depends on the client’s benefit design.

A Celltrion spokesperson said there may be a “clinical” prior authorization for new patients starting on Yuflyma. The CarePartners clinical team manages the PA process.

CarePartners is fully accredited and licensed to service patients in 50 states and Washington, D.C. The Cost Savings Program is offered in all U.S. states.

Related: PBM Ventegra Adds Yuflyma Biosimilar as Preferred Product

Earlier this month, Celltrion had announced that the PBM Ventegra added Yuflyma as a preferred product on its formulary. Ventegra covers more than 12 million lives, with a primary focus on Texas, Washington and California.