Asembia AXS26: What Does CGT Distribution and Access Look Like?

In the second part of her interview with Pharmaceutical Commerce live from Asembia AXS26, Jennifer Lospinoso, managing director and consulting lead at Riparian, discusses how cell and gene therapy (CGT) distribution models differ from traditional specialty drug frameworks and how specialty pharmacies may evolve alongside the growing CGT pipeline.

Lospinoso explains that traditional specialty products often move through a buy-and-bill model, where treatment centers take possession of therapies and assume the associated financial risk. In CGT, however, treatment centers are often less willing to carry that exposure, leading manufacturers to adopt alternative distribution approaches such as flash title models, where ownership transfers briefly at the treatment site dock to reduce the duration of financial liability.

She also describes specialty pharmacy “drive-by” models, in which specialty pharmacies assume the financial risk, facilitate therapy transfer to treatment centers, and later receive reimbursement from payers.

Looking ahead, Lospinoso noted that while there are currently about 50 approved CGTs, roughly 1,400 therapies are in development, including treatments for more prevalent conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, and heart disease. As the market expands, she said the industry will need to rethink the current ecosystem supporting CGTs.

Watch the first part of her interview with PC:

1. Asembia AXS26: How CGTs are Reshaping Specialty Pharmacy