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Yervoy reports $95M in sales for first quarter in market
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Yervoy reports $95M in sales for first quarter in market

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Yervoy reports $95M in sales for first quarter in market

  • Post
    • July 28, 2011 at 5:06 pm
    Dynasysman
    Participant

      Fierce Pharma led its daily coverage of pharmaceutical activity today with a story about BMS and Yervoy.  The story began:

       

      Market watchers expected Bristol-Myers Squibb's ($BMY) new cancer drug to be big, but this fast? The company's second-quarter sales left Wall Street estimates in the dust and prompted an increase in profit forecasts, largely thanks to unexpectedly strong sales of the very-recently-approved Yervoy.

      Fierce Pharma led its daily coverage of pharmaceutical activity today with a story about BMS and Yervoy.  The story began:

       

      Market watchers expected Bristol-Myers Squibb's ($BMY) new cancer drug to be big, but this fast? The company's second-quarter sales left Wall Street estimates in the dust and prompted an increase in profit forecasts, largely thanks to unexpectedly strong sales of the very-recently-approved Yervoy.

      Indeed, the melanoma treatment just won the FDA nod in March, and it has already brought in $95 million, Reuters reports. "To come up with nearly $100 million in sales right out of the gate is fantastic," Credit Agricole Securities analyst David Maris, who had projected Yervoy sales of $20 million, told the news service. 

      I suspect some will react by criticizing the high price of Yervoy therapy, but think about it this way:  Yervoy's strong start will motivate other BioPharma manufacturers to increase their investments in melanoma drug development, which is good news for all of us.

    Viewing 7 reply threads
    • Replies
        • July 28, 2011 at 7:05 pm
        jim Breitfeller
        Participant

          • July 28, 2011 at 7:05 pm
          jim Breitfeller
          Participant

            • July 28, 2011 at 7:07 pm
            jim Breitfeller
            Participant

              All the way to the Bank!!!!

              • July 28, 2011 at 7:07 pm
              jim Breitfeller
              Participant

                All the way to the Bank!!!!

                • July 28, 2011 at 8:57 pm
                TracyLee
                Participant

                  I am being billed $74,000 PER dose for Yervoy. Thankfully, I am well insured…

                  What have been the charges for other Ipi folks on this board?

                  TracyLee

                    • July 28, 2011 at 10:27 pm
                    lhaley
                    Participant

                      I thought it was supposed t be approx $120,000 for the 4 shots! I think I'd have to ask some questions….

                      • July 28, 2011 at 10:41 pm
                      NYKaren
                      Participant

                        So far, $45,792.00 PER INFUSION!   I thought it was supposed to be $120,000 total also.  We'll see how today's infusion gets billed/paid.  

                        • July 28, 2011 at 10:41 pm
                        NYKaren
                        Participant

                          So far, $45,792.00 PER INFUSION!   I thought it was supposed to be $120,000 total also.  We'll see how today's infusion gets billed/paid.  

                          • July 28, 2011 at 10:27 pm
                          lhaley
                          Participant

                            I thought it was supposed t be approx $120,000 for the 4 shots! I think I'd have to ask some questions….

                            • July 29, 2011 at 2:06 am
                            Dynasysman
                            Participant

                              Hospital "billing" is a shell game.  The real question is how much your insurer is paying, and what your co-pay or co-insurance is.

                              If you are paying no co-insurance for Yervoy, ignore the "billing" number.  It has no bearing on reality.  If you are paying a co-insurance fee, I would check into where that number came from.

                              For what it's worth, I am told my ipi (which I started Tuesday) is 100% covered.  I don't know what my hospital is paying for it, but I am confident that my hospital's stated "billing" will not reflect true costs.

                              • July 29, 2011 at 11:37 am
                              TracyLee
                              Participant

                                I absolutely agree about the hospital billing. I used to do medical billing, so I'm quite familiar with the whole rigamarole!

                                My hospital told me the dose was $36,000 per dose, to THEM. Interesting that my bill is $74,000. They also had to ensure that I wouldn't have a staggering co-insurance balance, before they would even begin my treatment. (I'm the first in the state).

                                That being said, I'm interested, in a sick way, to see what insurance "allows" and actually pays. I suspect that they will reduce it by around 70-80%, and then pay accordingly.

                                Naturally, my insurance carrier is taking the entire amount of time that they are legally allowed to, to pay this bill! So, I'm still waiting to see processing and what will be paid out.

                                I'm still very grateful for this treatment, whether I respond or not. It certainly helps to have options and not feel like life is just over, once diagnosed. I'm so thrilled for all the ipi responders on this board!

                                TracyLee

                                • July 29, 2011 at 11:37 am
                                TracyLee
                                Participant

                                  I absolutely agree about the hospital billing. I used to do medical billing, so I'm quite familiar with the whole rigamarole!

                                  My hospital told me the dose was $36,000 per dose, to THEM. Interesting that my bill is $74,000. They also had to ensure that I wouldn't have a staggering co-insurance balance, before they would even begin my treatment. (I'm the first in the state).

                                  That being said, I'm interested, in a sick way, to see what insurance "allows" and actually pays. I suspect that they will reduce it by around 70-80%, and then pay accordingly.

                                  Naturally, my insurance carrier is taking the entire amount of time that they are legally allowed to, to pay this bill! So, I'm still waiting to see processing and what will be paid out.

                                  I'm still very grateful for this treatment, whether I respond or not. It certainly helps to have options and not feel like life is just over, once diagnosed. I'm so thrilled for all the ipi responders on this board!

                                  TracyLee

                                  • July 29, 2011 at 12:53 pm
                                  lhaley
                                  Participant

                                    Dynasysman,

                                    I thought you were having surgery?  I assume you didn't (maybe was not reectable?) so you could do the Yervoy. Would you be willing to give the reasons they decided to go this route? 

                                    Linda

                                    • July 29, 2011 at 2:28 pm
                                    Dynasysman
                                    Participant
                                      Unclear whether tumor is resectable; but my ONC and I believe that Yervoy will prove beneficial in adjuvant and Neo-adjuvant settings. Snce tumor is not particularly active, chose to start Yervoy first to address systemic issues. Trying to determine how quickly we can do surgery, maybe as early as next week, maybe later.
                                      • July 29, 2011 at 2:28 pm
                                      Dynasysman
                                      Participant
                                        Unclear whether tumor is resectable; but my ONC and I believe that Yervoy will prove beneficial in adjuvant and Neo-adjuvant settings. Snce tumor is not particularly active, chose to start Yervoy first to address systemic issues. Trying to determine how quickly we can do surgery, maybe as early as next week, maybe later.
                                        • July 29, 2011 at 12:53 pm
                                        lhaley
                                        Participant

                                          Dynasysman,

                                          I thought you were having surgery?  I assume you didn't (maybe was not reectable?) so you could do the Yervoy. Would you be willing to give the reasons they decided to go this route? 

                                          Linda

                                          • July 29, 2011 at 2:06 am
                                          Dynasysman
                                          Participant

                                            Hospital "billing" is a shell game.  The real question is how much your insurer is paying, and what your co-pay or co-insurance is.

                                            If you are paying no co-insurance for Yervoy, ignore the "billing" number.  It has no bearing on reality.  If you are paying a co-insurance fee, I would check into where that number came from.

                                            For what it's worth, I am told my ipi (which I started Tuesday) is 100% covered.  I don't know what my hospital is paying for it, but I am confident that my hospital's stated "billing" will not reflect true costs.

                                          • July 28, 2011 at 8:57 pm
                                          TracyLee
                                          Participant

                                            I am being billed $74,000 PER dose for Yervoy. Thankfully, I am well insured…

                                            What have been the charges for other Ipi folks on this board?

                                            TracyLee

                                            • July 29, 2011 at 2:07 pm
                                            NYKaren
                                            Participant

                                              All I care about is that it says Patient Responsibility: 0.  It says Payable by Empire: $43,000 (don't remember what number I typed the first time & I don't have it in front of me)  BUT it does not say exactly what Empire did or will pay.  Very interesting.

                                              • July 29, 2011 at 2:07 pm
                                              NYKaren
                                              Participant

                                                All I care about is that it says Patient Responsibility: 0.  It says Payable by Empire: $43,000 (don't remember what number I typed the first time & I don't have it in front of me)  BUT it does not say exactly what Empire did or will pay.  Very interesting.

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