Case Study
Maximizing the economic
value of a novel therapy
in oncology & facilitating
payer engagement
The Question
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is one of the two most common forms of leukemia in adults.
Due to its slow progression and the poorer prognosis of older patients, CLL poses an important economic burden to patients, payers, and society. Venetoclax in combination with obinutuzumab (VEN+G), a novel fixed-duration regimen, has the potential of alleviating the financial burden of CLL on payers and patients. Our client asked for our help: how can we maximize the economic value of VEN+G and facilitate communication with various stakeholders?
The Approach
In close collaboration with our client, we developed a budget impact model (BIM) to analyze the total cost of care (TCC) and budget impact of introducing VEN+G as first-line treatment for CLL.
To maximize the economic value of VEN+G, the model captured all relevant costs of treatment, adverse events, routine care, and monitoring costs. The model relied on an array of data sources, including claims data, clinical trial data, and published literature. To facilitate communication with various stakeholders, a custom, interactive BIM interface was built. Thoughtful and strategic data visualization helped translate complex information into simpler, intuitive value story arguments.
The Results
Our model helped our client demonstrate how introducing VEN+G among first-line CLL treatments resulted in cost savings for payers in the era of novel targeted treatments.
We supported our client in communicating the economic value of VEN+G by presenting the model at a clinical conference as well as publishing it in a peer-reviewed journal. Since then, we have provided ongoing assistance in tailoring the model further to help our client engage with various stakeholders, including discussion with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network®.
The Long And
Short Of it
Our client had the first fixed-duration novel combination regimen for the treatment of first-line CLL.
A close collaboration was needed to not only demonstrate the potential of alleviating the financial burden on payers but also to develop a tool that would facilitate communicating the value message to various stakeholders.