Cost-Utility Analysis of Ravulizumab Compared with Eculizumab in Adult Patients with Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria

Thomas O’Connell, Marric Buessing, Scott Johnson, Lufei Tu, Simu K. Thomas and Ioannis Tomazos ()
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Thomas O’Connell: Medicus Economics
Marric Buessing: Medicus Economics
Scott Johnson: Medicus Economics
Lufei Tu: Medicus Economics
Simu K. Thomas: Alexion Pharmaceuticals
Ioannis Tomazos: Alexion Pharmaceuticals

PharmacoEconomics, 2020, vol. 38, issue 9, No 8, 994 pages

Abstract: Abstract Background Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, characterized by intravascular hemolysis and venous thrombosis, can be managed with eculizumab, an inhibitor of the complement system; however, patients may periodically experience breakthrough hemolysis. Ravulizumab is a newly approved treatment for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria that may reduce breakthrough hemolysis risk, thus improving health-related quality of life and reducing treatment costs. Objective The objective of this study was to compare the costs and benefit of treatment with ravulizumab vs eculizumab in adult patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, from a US payer perspective. Methods A cost-utility analysis was conducted using a semi-Markov model, informed by clinical experts. Lifetime costs and benefit (quality-adjusted life-years) (both discounted at 3% per annum) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were estimated, over a lifetime horizon. Results are reported for an entire treated population and subgroups of eculizumab treatment history. Scenario analyses were characterized by assumptions of non-inferiority between treatments, in terms of breakthrough hemolysis incidence and blood transfusion requirements, and of variations in eculizumab dosing adjustments used in response to breakthrough hemolysis. Results In the base-case analysis for the overall population, there was a positive impact on health-related quality of life (quality-adjusted life-year gain of 1.67) and costs were lower (− $1,673,465), for ravulizumab vs eculizumab. This led to a negative incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (− $1,000,818, indicating cost savings per quality-adjusted life-year gained). Health-related quality-of-life improvement and cost savings were also observed in all cohorts and scenario analyses. Conclusions In adults with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, ravulizumab is associated with improved health-related quality of life and provides a large cost saving from the perspective of a US payer, when compared with eculizumab.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1007/s40273-020-00929-z

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