Coherus Biosciences (NASDAQ: CHRS) executives held an investor conference call on October 30, 2023, to discuss the recent US FDA approval for Loqtorzi (toripalimab) as both a first- and second-line treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). This approval, co-developed with Shanghai Junshi Biosciences Co., Ltd (HKG: 1877; SHA: 688180), marks a significant milestone as Loqtorzi becomes the first and only drug approved in the US specifically for NPC patients, setting a new standard of care.
Commercial Launch and Market Strategy
The commercial launch of Loqtorzi is expected in early Q1 2024. Coherus plans to capture all 2,000 NPC patients diagnosed in the US each year, ensuring they begin using Loqtorzi “from day one.” With an estimated 40% of NPC patients in the US already using PD-1 inhibitors off-label, Coherus forecasts a rapid market penetration within 2-3 years.
Pricing Strategy and CEO’s Stance
During the investor call, a question arose regarding potential discounts on Loqtorzi’s price compared to other PD-1 inhibitors. CEO Dennis Lanfear firmly ruled out significant discounts, emphasizing, “This is a branded product, with a unique indication, and we will not engage in heavily discounted prices for this product.” The exact price point will be revealed upon market launch next year.
Development Strategy and Future Pipeline
Loqtorzi will serve as the cornerstone of Coherus’s future oncology strategy and will be used alongside other pipeline candidates, particularly those from Coherus’s acquisition of Surface Oncology in September. The approval allows Coherus to advance to the next stage of its development strategy, which includes pairing Loqtorzi with Cazdozokitug (SRF388), an IL-27 antibody, and CHS-114, a CCR8-targeted antibody. Coherus is also exploring new external co-development partnerships involving other modalities such as bispecifics and T-cell engagers.-Fineline Info & Tech
