Cytokinetics Joins Bristol Myers in Funding AHA Heart Registry, Prepares for Market Clash

Cytokinetics, a rising player in the cardiovascular drug market, has announced its financial support for the American Heart Association's (AHA) initiative to standardize care for patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). This move comes as the company prepares to potentially launch its new drug, aficamten, setting the stage for a competitive face-off with Bristol Myers Squibb's (BMS) Camzyos.

Expanding the AHA's HCM Initiative

The AHA's three-year plan, initially backed by BMS, aims to improve the identification, assessment, referral, and treatment of HCM patients. Cytokinetics' contribution, reportedly matching that of BMS, will facilitate:

• Expansion of the HCM registry to include more sites
• Enhanced certification opportunities for referring centers
• Introduction of patient support services at select facilities
• Development of a pilot program to implement an HCM detection algorithm

Robert Blum, CEO of Cytokinetics, emphasized the importance of this support, stating, "Too many patients living with HCM face a lack of awareness about their condition, delayed diagnoses, and limited access to specialty care. We are proud to support the American Heart Association to advance a more standardized and comprehensive system of care."

Aficamten vs. Camzyos: A Looming Market Battle

As Cytokinetics gears up for the potential launch of aficamten, the pharmaceutical industry is bracing for a competitive showdown in the HCM market. Key developments include:

• Aficamten, Cytokinetics' cardiac myosin inhibitor, is awaiting FDA approval with a decision expected by December 26, 2023
• BMS's Camzyos, acquired through the $13.1 billion takeover of MyoKardia, currently dominates the HCM treatment landscape
• Camzyos has shown strong market performance, with sales growing 88% to $714 million in the first nine months of 2023

Andrew Callos, Chief Commercial Officer at Cytokinetics, outlined the company's launch strategy: "Following anticipated approval in December, our launch process will begin immediately." The company plans to activate its website, patient navigators, and support services within days of approval, with cardiovascular sales and medical teams deployed by early January 2024.

Market Implications and Industry Response

The entry of aficamten into the HCM market could significantly alter the competitive landscape. While BMS executives have previously downplayed any meaningful clinical differentiation between aficamten and Camzyos, Cytokinetics has since shared additional data that may challenge this assertion.

Cytokinetics has developed a targeted campaign for healthcare professionals, emphasizing aficamten's differentiating characteristics and key attributes of their Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) program. This approach aims to communicate the clinical value of aficamten and foster broad awareness among cardiologists.

As both companies invest in expanding the AHA's HCM registry and care standardization efforts, the stage is set for an intense market rivalry that could ultimately benefit HCM patients through improved awareness, diagnosis, and treatment options.