Matrix45
Advancing Evidence-based, Cost-responsible, and Equitable Healthcare

In pharmaceuticals and medical treatments, the challenge of appropriately valuing these interventions goes beyond traditional pharmacoeconomics and health economics approaches. Historically, cost-effectiveness analysis and cost-utility analysis, which are based on survival metrics, have been the established methodologies. However, many stakeholders—whether providers, payers, or manufacturers—desire to move beyond these survival-based approaches and address broader considerations like affordability, equity and access to healthcare.

The shift in focus necessitates new, more nuanced ways of assessing the value of clinical interventions and treatments. The challenge becomes particularly acute in regions like North America and Europe where recent legislative and regulatory changes are reshaping the landscape; for instance, recently in the US with Medicare’s ability to negotiate drug prices.

This is where Matrix45, a research and consulting firm specializing in evidence-based solutions, including real-world clinical research, health economics, litigation support and evidence-synthesis steps in.

“We work closely with clients not just to develop the models and methods for appraising the value of clinical interventions but to apply alternative and novel metrics that enable a more comprehensive, sustainable and equitable approach to healthcare valuation,” says Ivo Abraham, chief scientist at Matrix45.

When the company was founded, it supported pharmaceutical clients by gathering and analyzing real-world clinical data through large observational studies. In recent years, however, the industry has shifted towards relying on existing data sources like claims databases and electronic health records. Matrix45 helps clients reconcile these diverse data sources to generate more robust, clinically relevant insights. Its expertise lies in designing studies, collaborating with implementation partners and supporting the analysis and publication phases.

Leveraging advanced modeling techniques, the company helps stakeholders understand how to deliver treatments affordably within budget constraints, through budget impact analysis, treatment mix simulations and resource allocation strategies to maximize patient benefit. Equity considerations are also woven into all aspects of the economic analysis, ensuring that treatment options are distributed to all patients who stand to benefit the most.

A recent example of collaboration with Coherus Biosciences demonstrates the same. Matrix45 supported Coherus in preparing toripalimab (Loqtorzi), a recently FDA-approved monoclonal antibody developed to treat advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), for market entry into the US. Innovative economic evaluations supported Coherus in competitively pricing the drug 20 percent below the standard of care, cutting healthcare costs while expanding patient access.

The partnership with Coherus involved modeling how cost savings could be reinvested to increase care access, fund additional therapies for carcinoma patients and help cover other treatments—all on a budget-neutral basis. This showcased Matrix45's ingenuity in formulating data-driven solutions that aligned the clinical needs of patients with cost-responsible care. In this work, Matrix45 capitalized on its pioneering real-world evidence and economics work related to biosimilars, biobetters and bioparallels.
As an independent mediator, Matrix45 brings multiple stakeholders together to address different issues collaboratively. For example, the Six Delta Model for outcomes-based contracting of pharmaceuticals was created to provide manufacturers and payers with an independent framework for linking drug prices to six dimensions of real-world outcomes.

Through its global network of experts and experience servicing pharmaceutical and life sciences companies, government and regulatory agencies, providers and payer organizations, Matrix45 garners vital insights into today's complex healthcare environment to empower clients with responsible, impactful decisions. Matrix45's commitment to impartiality means offering guidance that may not always align with client expectations but is grounded in real-world clinical evidence and rigorous economic and policy analysis.

The company also actively works to bridge healthcare disparities and inequities by offering pro bono support to low- and middle-income regions, reinforcing its mission to improve global healthcare access.

In addition to addressing current healthcare challenges, Matrix45 is forward-thinking, exploring ways to leverage advanced technologies such as AI and machine learning. The success of this exercise would mean more efficient resource allocation with payers and providers making fast, evidence-based decisions that benefit everyone.

Today, through its comprehensive services, Matrix45 empowers healthcare stakeholders to make evidence-based decisions that benefit patients, maximize the value of treatments and promote fair and equitable distribution of healthcare resources. The goal is to simplify the complexities of modern healthcare decision-making, making treatments more accessible and affordable for those who need them most.