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. • AI technologies are improving patient care by facilitating education, reducing financial toxicity, streamlining practice connections, and helping clinicians manage the increasing complexity of precision medicine data. • Community oncology practices need a pragmatic, strategic approach to AI implementation that prioritizes specific practice needs, workflow integration, and patient readiness to maximize benefits while addressing potential disparities.

• 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.