Cigna Inks Results-based Deals for Amgen, Sanofi Meds

May 12, 2016

Cigna Corp signed two deals that will pay Amgen and Sanofi for their pricey cholesterol-lowering treatments based on how well patients respond to the medications.

The treatments, Repatha from Amgen and Praluent sold by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi, were approved for patients unable to tolerate or who are not able to adequately control "bad" LDL cholesterol with statins. Unlike statins, however, the treatments have a list price of more than $14,000 per year.

According to Cigna, if customers do not reduce LDL to levels seen in clinical trials, the drugmakers will further discount the cost. If the treatments meet or exceed anticipated cholesterol reduction, the negotiated price remains in place, according to the agreements.

Read the Reuters coverage