Cost per responder analysis of iptacopan versus eculizumab and ravulizumab in treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: implications for decision-making

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare and debilitating hematological disease with significant economic burden. Despite the availability of multiple therapies, there is a lack of consensus on optimal treatment strategies among physicians and payers in the United States. This study aimed to evaluate the economic value of iptacopan, a novel oral treatment option, compared to terminal complement inhibitors (specifically, complement component C5 inhibitor or C5i)—including eculizumab and ravulizumab—among patients with PNH who are either (i) C5i-experienced or (ii) complement-inhibitor-naïve. A cost per responder analysis was conducted based on treatment efficacy from clinical trials comparing iptacopan with C5i treatments. Treatment response was defined as the proportion of patients achieving red blood cell transfusion independence. Treatment costs were estimated as pharmaceutical wholesale acquisition cost and treatment administration costs, accounting for discontinuation. Outcomes evaluated included the number needed to treat to achieve a response and the cost per responder over the treatment duration of 24 weeks. Over 24 weeks, the number needed to treat to achieve an additional response was lower for iptacopan than all C5i comparators (C5i-experienced: 1.05 with iptacopan vs. 3.86 with C5is; complement-inhibitor-naïve: 1.02 with iptacopan vs. 1.69 with C5is). Cost per responder was lower for iptacopan than C5i comparators for both C5i-experienced ($264,337 for iptacopan vs. $975,298 for ravulizumab, $1,060,511 for eculizumab, and $744,561–$955,194 for eculizumab biosimilar with 10%–30% discount from eculizumab cost) and complement-inhibitor-naïve patients ($256,754, vs. $428,139 for ravulizumab, $465,546 for eculizumab, and $326,849–$419,314 for eculizumab biosimilar). Among both C5i-experienced and complement-inhibitor-naïve patients, treatment with iptacopan resulted in higher response rates and lower cost per responder compared to C5is.