Will Lilly’s Ebglyss Prompt ‘More Aggressive Rebate Negotiations’?

Almost one year after the FDA put its approval decision on hold, Lilly has finally crossed the finish line with Ebglyss (lebrikizumab-lbkz). The approval means another option for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, a therapeutic class that is seeing more and more entrants. And while the agent’s mechanism of action is not novel, as it is shared by others within the class, that may give payers the ability to be more aggressive in their rebate negotiations, says one industry expert.

On Sept. 13, the FDA approved Ebglyss for the treatment of people at least 12 years old who weigh at least 40 kg with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis that is not well controlled despite treatment with topical prescription medications or when those medications are not advisable. Dosing for the interleukin-13 (IL-13) antagonist is 500 mg via two 250 mg subcutaneous injections at weeks zero and two and then 250 mg every two weeks until week 16 or later, when an adequate clinical response is achieved. At that point, maintenance dosing is 250 mg every four weeks.