Avapritinib, Newly FDA-Approved for GIST, Available at Biologics by McKesson

Biologics by McKesson has been selected by Blueprint Medicines Corporation as a specialty pharmacy provider for avapritinib (Ayvakit),¹ which was approved January 9 for the treatment of adults with unresectable or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) harboring a platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) exon 18 mutation.²

GIST is a rare sarcoma of the gastrointestinal tract.² Only approximately 6% of newly-diagnosed patients with GIST have PDGFRA exon 18 mutations.²

Biologics by McKesson is an independent specialty pharmacy for oncologyand other complex therapeutic areas.¹ Avapritinib was accepted by the FDA for priority review in August 2019, and was granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation.¹

"We are pleased to make this important new therapy available as there are currently no effective therapies for PDGFRA exon 18 mutant GIST," said Brandon Tom, BS, PharmD, vice president of commercial services at Biologics, in a press release.

REFERENCES

• AYVAKIT (avapritinib), FDA Approved for Treatment of PDGFRA Exon 18 Mutant GIST, Available at Biologics by McKesson [news release]. Cary, NC; Jan 17, 2020. Email. Accessed Jan 17, 2020.
• Coppock, K. FDA Approves New GIST Therapy. Pharmacy Times, https://www.pharmacytimes.com/news/fda-approves-new-gist-therapy. Accessed Jan 17, 2020.