Lilly Canada finalizes a major deal with pCPA, advancing access to a new UC treatment across Canada
Eli Lilly Canada Inc. (Lilly Canada) has successfully completed negotiations with the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) for Omvoh (mirikizumab) for ulcerative colitis (UC) as of August 29.
UC is a disease affecting the colon, including the rectum and anus, causing inflammation of the inner lining of the bowel.
This achievement, marked by a letter of intent (LOI), is a significant step toward making Omvoh publicly accessible to patients in Canada. Omvoh is the first and only interleukin-23p19 (IL-23p19) antagonist approved in Canada for treating moderately to severely active UC.
It is indicated for adult UC patients who have experienced an inadequate response, loss of response, or intolerance to conventional therapy, biologic treatment, or a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor.
The successful pCPA negotiation is crucial in advancing the availability of Omvoh to Canadian UC patients.
Typically, pCPA negotiations commence following a recommendation from Canada’s Drug Agency (CDA-AMC) and/or Québec’s L'Institut national d'excellence en santé et en services sociaux (INESSS).
The issuance of an LOI sets the terms of the agreement between the pCPA and the drug manufacturer, paving the way for public access.
Lilly Canada emphasizes the importance of including Omvoh in provincial, territorial, and federal drug formularies. The company is committed to collaborating with these key stakeholders to ensure that patients with moderately to severely active UC across Canada have public access to Omvoh.
“We are thrilled to conclude a successful negotiation of Omvoh for ulcerative colitis with the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance,” said Ken Custer, General Manager of Lilly Canada.
“Ensuring timely and broad access to new innovative medicines in Canada is essential for patients to have options to manage their health. We look forward to working with provincial, territorial, and federal public drug programs with the goal of accelerating public access to Omvoh for Canadians living with UC.”
