New Zealand to drop funding of Gaucher drug Cerezyme in favor of Elelyso

6 July 2018

New Zealand’s Pharmaceutical Management Agency PHARMAC has today announced the following changes to the funding of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) used in the treatment of the rare disorder Gaucher disease:

The funded ERT for the treatment of Gaucher disease will change from Cerezyme (imiglucerase), supplied by French drug major Sanofi (Euronext: SAN, to Elelyso (taliglucerase alfa), supplied by US pharma giant Pfizer (NYSE: PFE).
Taliglucerase alfa will be funded from August 1, 2018 and will become the only funded ERT for the treatment of Gaucher disease after a seven-month transition period.
Special Authority and Hospital Restrictions will apply to taliglucerase alfa. If approved by the Gaucher Panel, the criteria allow for a higher maximum dose of 30 units/kg every other week (~60 units/kg/month) where clinically appropriate. This may provide additional clinical benefits for some patients.
Transition timeframes and further information are detailed below.

Details of Elelyso decision

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