Price of Yescarta(Axicabtagene ciloleucel)
Price of Yescarta(Axicabtagene ciloleucel)
The initial list price for Yescarta was set at approximately $373,000 per treatment. This cost covers the complex manufacturing process, which involves collecting, engineering, and expanding the patient’s T cells, as well as the administration and monitoring required during the treatment process.
What is Yescarta
Yescarta is a type of immunotherapy that uses genetically engineered T-cells to target and destroy cancer cells. The process involves harvesting T-cells from the patient’s blood, modifying them to recognize and attack cancer cells, and then reinfusing them back into the patient’s body. This personalized approach has shown remarkable success in treating relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Factors Contributing to the Cost of Yescarta
The high cost of Yescarta can be attributed to several factors:
1. Research and Development: Developing a new cancer therapy like Yescarta requires significant investment in research and development. This includes clinical trials, regulatory approvals, and manufacturing processes. All these factors contribute to the high cost of the therapy.
2. Personalization: As mentioned earlier, Yescarta is a personalized therapy that involves customizing T-cells for each individual patient. This process is complex and time-consuming, which adds to the overall cost of the treatment.
3. Manufacturing: Producing Yescarta requires specialized facilities and equipment, as well as highly trained personnel. These factors also contribute to the high cost of the therapy.
4. Limited Competition: Currently, there are only a handful of CAR T-cell therapies on the market, including Yescarta. Limited competition can lead to higher prices for these treatments.
5. Insurance Coverage: While some insurance companies do cover the cost of Yescarta, others may not, leaving patients with high out-of-pocket expenses. This can further contribute to the perception of the therapy being expensive.