BioCryst study shows ORLADEYO cuts healthcare use in HAE

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. - BioCryst (NASDAQ:BCRX) Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:BCRX) has released a study indicating that ORLADEYO (berotralstat), an oral treatment for hereditary angioedema (HAE), is associated with significant reductions in healthcare resource utilization (HRU) among U.S. patients. The findings, which will be presented at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) Nexus 2024 meeting in Las Vegas, highlight a decrease in hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and the use of on-demand therapies following the initiation of ORLADEYO treatment.

According to the study, which analyzed U.S. claims data from patients enrolled in commercial and public health plans who began using ORLADEYO between December 2020 and December 2022, there was a 34 percent reduction in all-cause hospitalizations and a 14 percent reduction in outpatient or emergency room visits. More specifically, angioedema-related hospitalizations saw a 52 percent reduction, and outpatient or emergency room visits a 44 percent reduction. The research also noted a 51 percent reduction in HAE attack-related visits, with significant decreases in hospitalizations (60 percent) and outpatient or emergency room visits (50 percent).

The retrospective pre-post study, which included 260 patients with a baseline of at least six months of continuous health plan enrollment prior to starting ORLADEYO, observed that reductions in HRU were significant across multiple outcomes. The use of on-demand therapies administered by healthcare professionals also saw a 39 percent reduction among patients who previously received such treatment.

ORLADEYO is the first and only oral therapy designed to prevent HAE attacks in adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older. It operates by decreasing the activity of plasma kallikrein, a component that contributes to the swelling characteristic of HAE. The medication comes with limitations and important safety information, including an observed increase in QT prolongation at dosages higher than the recommended 150 mg once-daily dosage.

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals is a global biotechnology company focused on developing oral small-molecule and protein therapeutics for rare diseases. The company emphasizes that the new real-world evidence supports the clinical and financial value of ORLADEYO as a prophylactic therapy for HAE.

The study's findings are based on a press release statement from BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, and the poster detailing the research will be on display at the AMCP Nexus 2024 national meeting.

In other recent news, BioCryst Pharmaceuticals has been making significant strides in various areas. The company has initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial for its investigational drug BCX17725, aimed at treating Netherton syndrome. Furthermore, BioCryst secured a $69 million contract from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for its influenza treatment, RAPIVAB.

The firm also reported strong demand for its hereditary angioedema treatment, ORLADEYO, leading to an upgraded revenue forecast for the year, now expected to fall between $420 million and $435 million. In a recent development, BioCryst finalized a deal with the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance to incorporate ORLADEYO into public formularies, expanding patient access across Canada.

The company has also appointed Dr. Donald S. Fong as the new chief medical officer. However, the BCX10013 program was discontinued due to insufficient drug activity. These developments indicate a series of recent advances and changes within BioCryst Pharmaceuticals.

InvestingPro Insights

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals' (NASDAQ:BCRX) recent study on ORLADEYO's effectiveness in reducing healthcare resource utilization aligns with the company's strong revenue growth trajectory. According to InvestingPro data, BioCryst's revenue grew by 24.65% over the last twelve months, reaching $382.24 million. This growth is particularly impressive in the most recent quarter, with a 32.54% increase, potentially reflecting the expanding adoption of ORLADEYO.

Despite these positive developments, InvestingPro Tips indicate that BioCryst is not currently profitable, with analysts not anticipating profitability this year. This situation is reflected in the company's negative P/E ratio of -10.14. However, the company's liquid assets exceed short-term obligations, suggesting a stable financial position to support ongoing research and development efforts.

The market seems to be recognizing BioCryst's potential, with the stock experiencing a large price uptick over the last six months—a 55.77% total return according to InvestingPro data. This performance contributes to a strong return over the last five years, as noted in another InvestingPro Tip.

For investors seeking more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers additional tips and insights. Currently, there are 5 more InvestingPro Tips available for BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, providing a deeper understanding of the company's financial health and market position.

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