Emmaus Life Sciences Inc (OTCQX:EMMA) said it has partnered with UpScript IP Holdings LLC, to offer telehealth solutions to sickle cell disease patients, expanding access to Endari, Emmaus’ prescription L-glutamine oral powder for the treatment of the disease.
The Torrance, California-based company said the telehealth partnership with UpScript will allow patients to see a doctor without leaving home, eliminating the risk of infection that can occur with hospital visits.
Additional benefits to patients include the ability to receive same-day physician authorization and prescription for Endari and to have the prescription delivered directly to their homes within just a few days, the company added.
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“This partnership with UpScript, a proven, direct-to-consumer telehealth platform, provides us with another key avenue through which we can meaningfully improve sickle cell patients' access to Endari,” Emmaus chairman and CEO Dr Yutaka Niihara said in a statement.
Indicated to reduce the acute complications of sickle cell disease in adult and pediatric patients five years of age and older, the company said Endari is recognized as an important tool in the management of this debilitating disease.
“It is convenient and requires no preliminary or follow up blood work monitoring,” Niihara added.
“Endari is well-tolerated and can easily be consumed with water, juice or other liquids. We are proud to partner with UpScript and believe Endari has the potential to become the first choice in treating sickle cell disease patients in the telehealth setting.”
Once deployed, Emmaus said its telehealth services will provide a new, convenient method for patients to receive Endari and improve their overall experience.
“We plan to launch this critical service over the next few months,” senior vice president of global commercialization George Sekulich said.
UpScript’s CEO and founder Peter Ax concluded: “UpScript looks forward to initiating this partnership and improving the accessibility of Endari to sufferers of sickle cell disease.
“Our direct-to-consumer platform allows pharmaceutical companies to reach patients in a convenient, safe and effective manner, improving patients' lives by making medications accessible and more affordable.”
Emmaus is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company and leader in the treatment of sickle cell disease. The company currently markets U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Endari (L-glutamine oral powder) indicated to reduce the acute complications of sickle cell disease in patients aged 5 and above.
The company is also engaged in the discovery and development of innovative treatments and therapies for certain rare and orphan diseases as well as those affecting larger populations, such as diverticulosis.
Contact the author at stephen.gunnion@proactiveinvestors.com