SciVida

Hurricane Helene Relief – With a matching contribution from the firm, SciVida team members from across the country donated thousands of dollars in funds and much-needed supplies for the residents of western North Carolina whose homes, businesses, and towns were devastated last month by Hurricane Helene. FEEDING AVERY FAMILIES—a western North Carolina nonprofit food pantry established in 2005—has been coordinating emergency food distribution to people in need across Avery, County, NC, one of the areas hit hard by the storm. SciVida's financial donations to this organization covered more than 14,000 meals for residents impacted by Helene!

Leveraging its experience and early lessons learned from its first round of negotiations, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released its final guidance outlining how the agency will implement the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program for the next wave of 15 Part D drugs that will have Maximum Fair Prices (MFPs) set for 2027 (https://lnkd.in/esD7bKMW). These 15 products will be selected by CMS for price negotiations by February 1, 2025. Notably, the document includes some clarifications based on draft guidance that was published in May of this year, primarily as it relates to some of the more uncertain aspects of the law such as how active moieties are identified, the treatment of compounded products (a concern in the rapidly evolving obesity market), and considerations for biosimilar delay requests. In this final guidance, CMS notes that manufacturers need to take a number of actions in advance of February 1, 2025, to prepare for the possibility that a drug they manufacture might be included on the selected drug list for 2027. Recommended steps include: (1) engage in internal discussions regarding whether the manufacturer would choose to participate in the negotiation program if its drug is selected, (2) review the template Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program Agreement and guidance to understand negotiation program requirements, and (3) gather information for potential submission to CMS by the statutory deadline of March 1, 2025. SciVida encourages manufacturers anticipating potential selection for 2025 to dissect the final rule and determine potential implications for their organizations and products. And it continues to be important for all pharma manufacturers to understand how the the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) could: (1) impact coverage and utilization of selected drugs and their competitors, (2) reduce investment in small molecules (due to IRA favoring biologics), and (3) increase launch prices (due to elements of the IRA that limit price increases after launch).

A research article published recently by the Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy (JMCP) has identified likely products to be selected by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for price negotiation in 2025. A total of 15 Medicare Part D single-source drugs will be selected by CMS for price negotiations by February 1, 2025, with negotiated prices becoming effective on January 1, 2027. In the article (https://lnkd.in/gzXp8ssj), the authors used selection criteria identified in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and CMS guidance as well as projected spending data reported by CMS and linear prediction models to estimate which 15 Part D products would most likely be selected in 2025. The researchers identified 13 products they believed likely to be subject to Medicare drug price negotiation, as well as seven additional products that may be selected to complete the list of 15. As we consider this informative analysis, we note that CMS does not necessarily have to select the top qualifying drugs by Medicare spend for negotiation. In guidance published in May of 2024 (https://lnkd.in/egmbvyb2), CMS underscored that products are determined to be negotiation-eligible for 2027 if they are among the top 50 qualifying single-source drugs with the highest total Medicare expenditures for the 12-month evaluation period. Higher expenditure drugs may be passed over for lower expenditure drugs if higher expenditure products are facing impending generic competition that would meaningfully enhance competition and improve access and affordability of the drug. SciVida believes manufacturers of products that are likely to be selected by CMS should work to glean learnings from negotiations and pricing of the 10 products already selected. Manufacturers will also need to prepare for their interactions and negotiations with CMS, including careful consideration of the evidence that is to be submitted. In the long term, SciVida will be watching closely how pricing and market access dynamics may evolve in commercial managed care in relation to the setting of Maximum Fair Prices (MFPs). It will be important for manufacturers to understand how and which products are eligible for selection and, subsequently, impacts to (1) coverage and utilization of selected drugs and their competitors, (2) investment in small molecules (due to IRA favoring biologics), and (3) expected product launch prices (due to elements of the IRA that limit price increases after launch). #drugpricing #pharmaceuticals #CMS

SciVida is thrilled to celebrate with Victoria Bahena Lanzagorta upon hearing the news she is being honored as a Future Leader among the select group of Women Leaders in Consulting for 2024 by Consulting Magazine. This award is a testament to the success Victoria has had in her consulting career at SciVida, where she has established her reputation as a future leader due to her enduring impact on growing the west coast business and building high-performing teams through sharing her knowledge and inspiring new team members as they advance their core consulting skills. Congratulations, Victoria, on this well-deserved recognition—we are so proud of you for your accomplishments and contributions to the firm, and we look forward to celebrating with you at the upcoming awards ceremony in New York City on November 14! #womenleaders #consulting

Attention, life science consultants: SciVida is holding your dream job hostage! Have you nailed your first several years of consulting from a technical standpoint but feel your day-to-day is a bit lackluster, or maybe you feel like your contributions aren’t being acknowledged? Do you want a career and a clear path upward, not just a job? At SciVida, you can have the career you may not have known was even possible, and more. SciVida recognizes and rewards individuals based on their performance and contributions, and because performance is frequently evaluated, that translates to more opportunities for growth. Please consider checking out what we offer (https://lnkd.in/e2A2-pqq) and applying if you see a good fit. From our emphasis on learning through mentorship, coaching, and formal training, to our meritocratic advancement opportunities, to our winning culture that values our people, transparency, and diversity, you won’t be disappointed! We are especially seeking Senior Consultants and Associate Principals on site in our San Francisco office. Senior Consultants, apply here ~ https://lnkd.in/e42TXnXy Associate Principals, apply here ~ https://lnkd.in/efdmGUTe

Calling all experienced life science consultants, especially in the San Francisco market! Have you gotten several solid years of experience at a large consulting firm and are maybe tired of having your voice drowned out or, worse, no voice at all? Unencumbered by the bureaucracy and politics that often plague large organizations, SciVida is a nimble firm that offers a unique opportunity where each team member’s voice is heard and considered in shaping the future of the company. Please consider checking out what we offer (https://lnkd.in/e2A2-pqq) and applying if you see a good fit. We are especially seeking Senior Consultants and Associate Principals on site in our San Francisco office. Senior Consultants, apply here ~ https://lnkd.in/e42TXnXy Associate Principals, apply here ~ https://lnkd.in/efdmGUTe

Calling all experienced life science consultants, especially in the San Francisco market! Have you gotten several solid years of experience at a large consulting firm and are maybe tired of having your voice drowned out or, worse, no voice at all? Unencumbered by the bureaucracy and politics that often plague large organizations, SciVida is a nimble firm that offers a unique opportunity where each team member’s voice is heard and considered in shaping the future of the company. Please consider checking out what we offer (https://lnkd.in/e2A2-pqq) and applying if you see a good fit. We are especially seeking Senior Consultants and Associate Principals on site in our San Francisco office. Senior Consultants, apply here ~ https://lnkd.in/e42TXnXy Associate Principals, apply here ~ https://lnkd.in/efdmGUTe

Do you have enough experience in management consulting to know you enjoy the challenge and variety in a consulting career but maybe haven’t quite found the right cultural fit at your current firm? Does working at a life sciences-focused consultancy that “walks the walk” and gives back to patients resonate with your soul? At SciVida, our purpose is to help bring science to life so that patients get access to life-saving therapies and our world is a healthier place. A portion of each billable hour our consultants work directly goes back to patients through SciVida StriVe, our corporate giving program. We are hiring, and particularly seeking Consultants and Senior Consultants in Boston and in Raleigh. If making a difference through your work is important to you, please consider applying. Consultants, apply here ~ https://lnkd.in/e-F4s2rx Senior Consultants, apply here ~ https://lnkd.in/e42TXnXy

If you’re a management consultant with ambitions to soar in *and* out of the office, you probably approach your career the same way you approach your client engagements—strategically! At SciVida, our consultants learn from great leaders who respect boundaries and support team members not only in professional development but also in achieving work-life balance throughout their career journey. SciVida respects time away from work and encourages staff to periodically unplug for a well-deserved break to recharge. If you cherish pursuits outside the office as much as you value the quest for excellence within your career, we want to hear from you! We are especially seeking experienced Consultants and Senior Consultants in our Raleigh and Boston offices. Apply today and reach new heights! Consultants, apply here: https://lnkd.in/e-F4s2rx Senior Consultants, apply here: https://lnkd.in/e42TXnXy

If you’re a management consultant with ambitions to soar in *and* out of the office, you probably approach your career the same way you approach your client engagements—strategically! At SciVida, our consultants learn from great leaders who respect boundaries and support team members not only in professional development but also in achieving work-life balance throughout their career journey. SciVida respects time away from work and encourages staff to periodically unplug for a well-deserved break to recharge. If you cherish pursuits outside the office as much as you value the quest for excellence within your career, we want to hear from you! We are especially seeking experienced Consultants and Senior Consultants in our Raleigh and Boston offices. Apply today and reach new heights! Consultants, apply here: https://lnkd.in/e-F4s2rx Senior Consultants, apply here: https://lnkd.in/e42TXnXy