Acute Migraine Agent Rimegepant Available Via Cove Telemedicine Platform

Vlad Coric, MD, CEO of Biohaven

Vlad Coric, MD

Biohaven Pharmaceutical has announced that it is making its recently FDA-approved acute migraine treatment rimegepant (Nurtec ODT), will become available via telemedicine after a collaboration with Cove, which focuses on providing specialized care and access for patients with migraine. Biohaven noted that this collaboration is hoping to facilitate telemedicine evaluation for this population, particularly in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and an increased need for virtual visits.¹

This collaboration makes the oral agent the first branded medication available through Cove’s platform, which allows patients to consult with independent health care providers and may be prescribed migraine treatments.

“Cove is a viable channel for high-quality migraine care, particularly in a time where office visits are limited. However, there are not enough migraine and headache specialists in this country, so even in more ‘normal’ times, Cove fills an important unmet need for migraine sufferers who have no access to specialists or doctors who are fully educated on the latest innovations in migraine treatments,” Vlad Coric, MD, CEO of Biohaven, told NeurologyLive. “This partnership is not intended to replace the traditional physician-patient relationship, but rather provide another option for care, particularly when office visits are limited. On patient request, information from the Cove consult will be sent to their primary physician.”

Coric explained that Cove’s platform provides a detailed consultation which equals the value of an in-person visit with a neurologist. The end-to-end care includes inquiries into the patient’s migraine and medical history and features a video upload section that enables task assessments. “If the patient is a fit for online migraine care, a physician within Cove’s network connects directly to the person and recommends a treatment plan. The medications can then be delivered right to the person’s door or sent to a local pharmacy,” Coric said.

READ MORE: Remote Electrical Neuromodulation Reduces Use of Migraine Medications

Rimegepant became available for prescription in the US just last month. The oral antagonist of the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor was granted based on the results of 2 clinical trials: the phase 3 Study 303 and the long-term, open-label safety trial, Study 201.^2,3 The agent disperses almost instantly in the mouth without water and inhibits the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor.

In its clinical development, more than 3100 patients were treated with more than 113,000 doses of the therapy. Overall, rimegepant was generally well tolerated; the most common adverse event (AE) was nausea, which occurred in 2% of patients who received therapy compared to 0.4% of patients who received placebo.

"There's no one size fits all solution for migraine sufferers. They deserve to have as many options as possible to find the right one for them,” Caroline Hofmann, General Manager, Cove, added in a statement. “We're excited to be able to offer NURTEC ODT on Cove and make this innovative treatment more accessible than ever through our telemedicine platform, during this stressful time when migraine sufferers need it the most."

Biohaven also noted that this partnership with Cove expands on the existing tools it has developed to enhance access to rimegepant for the appropriate patients. Their existing offerings include a 2-dose complimentary sample pack available with a prescription, as well as a patient starter kit and a copay card—available for those who utilize Cove—that can lower some individuals’ monthly cost to $0.

REFERENCES

1. Biohaven Enters Into Collaboration With Cove, Leading Migraine Telemedicine Platform, To Enhance Accessibility Of NURTEC™ ODT [press release]. New Haven, CT: Biohaven; Published April 7, 2020. Accessed April 14, 2020. prnewswire.com/news-releases/biohaven-enters-into-collaboration-with-cove-leading-migraine-telemedicine-platform-to-enhance-accessibility-of-nurtec-odt-301036378.html.

2. Biohaven's NURTEC™ ODT (rimegepant) Receives FDA Approval for the Acute Treatment of Migraine in Adults [press release]. New Haven, CT: Biohaven; Published February 27, 2020. Accessed April 14, 2020. prnewswire.com/news-releases/biohavens-nurtec-odt-rimegepant-receives-fda-approval-for-the-acute-treatment-of-migraine-in-adults-301013021.html.

3. Biohaven's NURTEC(TM) ODT (rimegepant 75mg) is Now Available in U.S. Pharmacies for the Acute Treatment of Migraine in Adults [press release]. New Haven, CT: Biohaven; Published March 12, 2020. Accessed March 13, 2020. ptcommunity.com/wire/biohavens-nurtectm-odt-rimegepant-75mg-now-available-us-pharmacies-acute-treatment-migraine.