TheracosBio Announces Commercial Availability of Brenzavvy (bexagliflozin) for the Treatment of Adults with Type 2 Diabetes
TheracosBio announced that Brenzavvy (bexagliflozin), an FDA-approved oral sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, is now available by prescription through the Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company, PBC (Cost Plus Drugs). A 30-day supply is available from Cost Plus Drugs for $47.85 plus shipping and handling.
“The commercialization of BRENZAVVY marks the first phase of the TheracosBio program to bring cost-effective novel medications to the U.S. population, expanding markets by reducing barriers to greater utilization,” said Albert R. Collinson, Ph.D., President and CEO of TheracosBio. “We develop new drugs in an efficient manner that produces savings for patients, and we’re pleased to begin working with Cost Plus Drugs to make BRENZAVVY accessible.”
BRENZAVVY is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes. BRENZAVVY is not recommended for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and may increase the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis in these patients.
BRENZAVVY is available as 20 mg oral tablets recommended to be taken once daily, in the morning with or without food. BRENZAVVY is contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to bexagliflozin or any other ingredient in the BRENZAVVY tablet and is not indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in patients who are receiving dialysis. The most common side effects of taking BRENZAVVY include female genital mycotic infections, urinary tract infections, and changes in urination, but more serious side effects are possible (see below, Important Safety Information about BRENZAVVY). BRENZAVVY treatment can be initiated in adults with type 2 diabetes with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) greater than or equal to 30 mL/min/1.73 m2. Patients with eGFR between 30 and 59 mL/min/1.73 m2 are said to be in stage 3 chronic kidney disease.
“We are excited to offer Brenzavvy to our patients with diabetes,” said Mark Cuban, co-founder of Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company. “TheracosBio is breaking new ground by making this product available to consumers at a transparent, low price. We look forward to working with them as we continue to add more branded drugs to costplusdrugs.com”
“Our main goal is to make as many products as possible available to those who need them at an affordable price. I’m a diabetic myself, so products like Brenzavvy are a top priority,” said Alex Oshmyansky, co-founder and CEO of Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company. “We appreciate TheracosBio’s commitment to accessibility as demonstrated by making this new medication available to Cost Plus Drugs users, no insurance required.”
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 33 million Americans have type 2 diabetes, which means their bodies don’t use insulin correctly and as a result their blood sugar levels are too high. While some people can control their blood sugar levels with exercise and a healthy diet, others may need additional help to achieve good blood sugar (glycemic) control. SGLT2 inhibitors are a class of prescription medicines that lower blood sugar by causing the kidneys to release sugar from the body in the urine.
Phase 3 clinical studies have shown BRENZAVVY significantly reduces hemoglobin A1c and fasting blood sugar after 24 weeks, either as a monotherapy, in combination with metformin or as an add-on to standard-of-care treatment consisting of a variety of regimens, including metformin, sulfonylureas, insulin, DPP4 inhibitors or combinations of these agents. Although BRENZAVVY is not approved for weight or blood pressure reduction, modest decreases in both weight and blood pressure have been observed in the clinical program.