APLS - Apellis extends gains as management outlines plans for EMPAVELI launch

Apellis Pharmaceuticals ([[APLS]] +21.2%) has risen by more than a fifth so far following the FDA approval for EMPAVELI (pegcetacoplan), a targeted C3 therapy for adults with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria ((PNH)).EMPAVELI will be a direct competitor to Soliris and Ultomiris, two PNH therapies marketed by Alexion Pharmaceuticals (ALXN) which has agreed to be acquired by AstraZeneca ([[AZN]] +0.9%).On the conference call held today on EMPAVELI approval, the company highlighted its plans to launch the treatment within two weeks with a price tag of $458K, its average annual wholesale acquisition cost.The price is “set at parity to ULTOMIRIS and at a discount to Soliris,” according to Adam Townsend Chief Commercial Officer of Apellis.“In the next couple of days, our trained field teams will immediately begin educating health care providers or HCPs and patients about the potential of EMPAVELI,” Townsend added.Commercialization will focus on the top 1,000 to 2,000 health care providers, including over 90 key treatment centers, management

For further details see:

Apellis extends gains as management outlines plans for EMPAVELI launch