Cipher Pharmaceuticals has successfully completion of negotiations with the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA), resulting in a Letter of Intent (LOI) for Epuris (isotretinoin), a treatment for severe forms of acne.

The agreement represents a major milestone in the company's strategy to expand public reimbursement and improve patient access to Epuris across Canada. The oral retinoid is indicated for the treatment of severe nodular and inflammatory acne, acne conglobata and recalcitrant acne in patients aged 12 years and older.

The pCPA, which represents Canada's provincial, territorial and federal public drug plans, conducts joint price negotiations to deliver greater value for publicly funded healthcare programmes. Under the standard pCPA process, securing an LOI is a prerequisite for provinces and territories to consider listing a medicine on their public drug formularies under negotiated terms. However, each jurisdiction retains the authority to determine whether and when to include the product, as well as any additional listing conditions.

Following the agreement, Cipher will work with federal, provincial and territorial public drug plans to finalise Product Listing Agreements (PLAs), enabling eligible patients to gain timely access to Epuris through publicly funded reimbursement programmes.

Commenting on the development, Craig Mull, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Cipher Pharmaceuticals, said the agreement establishes a framework for broader public drug plan coverage and significantly enhances access to Epuris for Canadians living with severe acne. He added that the milestone positions the product to compete more effectively within the isotretinoin market while helping overcome longstanding regional disparities in treatment access.

Cipher Pharmaceuticals is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on acquiring, developing and commercialising therapies that address unmet medical needs. The company currently markets a diversified portfolio of products across Canada, the United States and South America, spanning both commercial and clinical-stage assets.