CARDINAL HEALTH IRELAND UNLIMITED COMPANY

The three largest US pharmaceutical wholesalers—Cardinal Health, Cencora, and McKesson—are leveraging vertical integration to expand their influence beyond traditional drug distribution into the buy-and-bill market.

Citius Oncology has entered into a distribution services agreement with Cardinal Health to support the upcoming U.S. commercial launch of LYMPHIR for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma treatment.

Advanced cancer therapies including CAR-T and bispecific treatments are increasingly being delivered in community settings, reducing patient travel burdens from months to shorter timeframes.

AI adoption in oncology practices is rapidly growing, with current utilization at 40-50% and projected to reach 70-80% in the next few years, enhancing both clinical decision support and practice operations.

• Harrow has executed a five-year strategic supply and development agreement with the current contract manufacturing organization for TRIESENCE®, ensuring stable supply of the ocular corticosteroid. • The company has begun developing an enhanced version of TRIESENCE®, with plans to submit a new drug application (NDA) to the FDA by the end of 2027. • TRIESENCE® is FDA-approved for visualization during vitrectomy and treatment of ocular inflammatory conditions unresponsive to topical corticosteroids, addressing a product previously on the FDA's Drug Shortage List.

• Cardinal Health introduces Navista, a clinician-designed oncology practice alliance providing technology, capital access, and business support to help community practices maintain independence while delivering quality care. • Research shows 48% of community oncology practices struggle with system complexity, while 72% prioritize technology solutions as key needs for maintaining independent operations. • Over 50 community-based practice sites across 10 states have joined Navista, including California's largest private oncology practice cCARE, gaining access to AI-driven innovations and value-based care support.

• Convergent Therapeutics has received its first shipment of Actinium-225 (Ac-225) from Cardinal Health, marking a significant advancement in the supply chain for this critical radioisotope. • The Ac-225 will support Convergent's Phase 2 clinical trial of CONV01-α, a PSMA-targeted monoclonal antibody, as a potential treatment for prostate cancer. • CONV01-α combines the precision of antibodies with the tumor-killing potential of alpha-emitting radionuclides, offering a targeted approach to cancer therapy. • This collaboration between Convergent and Cardinal Health aims to increase access to Ac-225, facilitating the development of next-generation cancer treatments.

• The biosimilar market is poised for significant expansion in 2024, with approximately 10 biosimilars in development for Eylea and 8 for Stelara, promising increased competition and potential cost savings. • Ophthalmology emerges as a key growth area, with Lucentis biosimilars gaining traction and Eylea biosimilars expected to launch in early to mid-2024. • Healthcare providers face ongoing challenges in understanding reimbursement structures and navigating the complex landscape of medical versus pharmacy benefit biosimilars.