Accord BioPharma Inc., the specialty medicines arm of Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd., announced that Express Scripts has granted preferred status to HERCESSI across its largest commercial formularies. This includes placement on the National Preferred Formulary, with coverage effective beginning January 1, 2026. Express Scripts is one of the largest pharmacy benefit managers in the United States, and this decision significantly broadens patient access to the therapy.
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HERCESSI is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of cancers that overexpress the HER2 protein. These include certain forms of breast cancer as well as metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. The product is a biosimilar to HERCEPTIN (trastuzumab) and has demonstrated no clinically meaningful differences in safety, purity, or effectiveness when compared to the reference biologic. Like other trastuzumab products, HERCESSI carries a boxed warning related to cardiomyopathy, infusion related reactions, embryo fetal toxicity, and pulmonary toxicity.
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The addition of HERCESSI to preferred formulary status is expected to help reduce financial barriers for patients who rely on HER2 targeted therapies as part of their cancer treatment. The decision reflects ongoing efforts to expand access to lower cost biologic options while maintaining high clinical standards. For Accord BioPharma, the update reinforces its broader strategy of increasing availability of oncology treatments that meet both quality and affordability expectations.
Chrys Kokino, President and Chief Executive Officer of Accord U.S., said the formulary decision highlights the important role biosimilars play in improving the sustainability of healthcare. He explained that prioritizing more affordable HER2 directed therapies helps ensure that patients are able to receive necessary cancer care without cost becoming a limiting factor.
Paul Purdy, Vice President and Head of Market Access at Accord BioPharma, noted that this agreement represents the company’s second major formulary win with Express Scripts in a short period of time. He referenced the recent inclusion of IMULDOSA (ustekinumab srlf) earlier in the year and said the company is continuing to strengthen relationships with leading payers. According to Purdy, these collaborations are essential to creating clearer and more accessible pathways for patients who depend on biologic therapies for cancer and other serious conditions. He added that Accord is actively pursuing similar arrangements with additional pharmacy benefit managers nationwide.
Together, these developments signal continued momentum for Accord BioPharma as it expands its portfolio and works with partners across the healthcare system to improve access to critical treatments.
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