PANTHERx® Specialty Pharmacy announced today that it has expanded its preferred partnership with Highmark to include Crysvita™ (burosumab-twza).

Crysvita™ (burosumab-twza) is the first FDA-approved therapy to treat adults and children ages one year and older with x-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH).  XLH causes low levels of phosphorus in the blood. It leads to impaired bone growth and development in children and adolescents and problems with bone mineralization throughout a patient’s life.  XLH is a serious disease affecting approximately 3,000 children and 12,000 adults in the United States. Most children with XLH experience bowed or bent legs, short stature, bone pain and severe dental pain. Some adults with XLH experience persistent discomfort or complications, such as joint pain, impaired mobility, tooth abscesses and hearing loss.

Services provided by PANTHERx® will ensure product availability, ancillary supplies, nursing coordination, comprehensive patient education, and adherence support.

“Highmark is excited to expand our partnership with PANTHERx® and continue to offer clinical and cost management solutions, and a positive experience for members in need of this new therapy,” said Sarah Marche, PharmD, Vice President, Pharmacy Services.

“We are thrilled to expand our partnership with Highmark by providing this important new therapy for patients living with XLH.” said David Stasiowski, Vice President, Business Development & Managed Markets at PANTHERx®.

About Highmark

Highmark Inc. and its health insurance subsidiaries and affiliates collectively are among the ten largest health insurers in the United States and comprise the fourth-largest Blue Cross and Blue Shield-affiliated organization. Highmark Inc. and affiliates operate health insurance plans in Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia that serve 5 million members and hundreds of thousands of additional members through the BlueCard®program. Its diversified businesses serve group customer and individual needs across the United States through dental insurance, vision care and other related businesses. Highmark Inc. is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information, visit www.highmark.com