Why carry out this study?

Acthar® Gel (repository corticotropin injection) is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use during an exacerbation or as maintenance therapy in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Acthar Gel has been shown to be safe and provides durable benefits among patients with moderate-to-severe SLE who have persistently active SLE despite aggressive treatment. However, data on the economic benefit of Acthar Gel in moderate-to-severe SLE are limited.

Assessment of the economic benefit of Acthar Gel for treatment-experienced patients with moderate-to-severe SLE by integrating the information on efficacy, effectiveness, cost, and patient outcomes is important to support decision-making.

What was learned from the study?

Treatment with Acthar Gel is a cost-effective, value-based strategy for active, moderate-to-severe SLE versus standard of care at a willingness-to-pay threshold of $150,000 over 2 and 3 years from the US payer and societal perspectives. These findings suggest that the use of Acthar Gel may considerably improve clinical and health outcomes among patients with moderate-to-severe SLE with a reduction in direct medical and indirect costs.