US-based biopharmaceutical company Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) announced on Monday the launch of AmgenNow, a new direct-to-patient programme starting with Repatha (evolocumab).

This follows results from the VESALIUS-CV Phase 3 trial demonstrating that Repatha significantly reduced the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in individuals without a prior history of heart attack or stroke.

Repatha will be available through AmgenNow at a monthly price of USD239, nearly 60% lower than the current US list price. The programme is open to all patients, including those who are uninsured or in high-deductible health plans or prefer to pay with cash or out of pocket. The new direct-to-patient price is claimed to be the lowest among the economically developed (G-7) countries and is being offered exclusively for the first time to US patients.

AmgenNow is immediately available to all Repatha patients, including those who participate in government schemes such as Medicare and Medicaid. Patients who use this programme are not subject to insurer requirements for step therapy or prior authorisation. The company says that it also plans to make AmgenNow accessible via the TrumpRx website.

Repatha is a human monoclonal antibody that inhibits proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9). It is approved in more than 74 countries, including the United States, Japan, Canada and in all countries that are members of the European Union. Applications in other countries are pending.