CAMBRIDGE, Mass.– Shorla Oncology (‘Shorla’), a U.S.-Ireland specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced the launch of a dedicated sales force and market access teams and the commercial availability of IMKELDI, the first oral liquid form of imatinib to treat certain forms of leukemia and other cancers.
“The launch of our sales force and market access teams is a pivotal moment for Shorla as we establish a direct presence in the U.S. oncology market where effective treatments continue to be important for many patients with cancer,” said Sharon Cunningham, CEO of Shorla.
Led by Shorla’s National Sales Director, industry veteran Rob Rice, the company’s new sales force, includes representatives from EVERSANA and Shorla. Supporting this expansion, Shorla has also built an internal market access team, spearheaded by oncology leader VP of Market Access, Jeremy Teasell, to ensure its treatments remain accessible and affordable for patients.
“With the leadership of Rob and Jeremy and our strong field and account management teams, we are poised to bring IMKELDI to healthcare providers and patients who need a convenient formulation of Imatinib that allows for precise dosing,” added Rayna Herman, CCO of Shorla.
As part of its patient support efforts, Shorla has partnered with EVERSANA’s specialty pharmacy to dispense IMKELDI free of charge to eligible uninsured patients through its Patient Assistance Program (PAP).
IMKELDI, which received FDA approval in November 2024, is now available for order through specialty distribution partners in the U.S. IMKELDI’s advanced liquid formulation of imatinib is designed to provide dosing accuracy and can help slow or prevent the growth of specific cancers, including chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome /myeloproliferative disease (MDS/MPD), and gastrointestinal tumors (GIST).
“We’re proud to support Shorla’s next phase of growth,” said Jim Lang, CEO, EVERSANA. “Our collaboration also ensures oncology professionals have the right resources to provide necessary treatment options to patients with cancer.”
In 2024, an estimated 9,280 people were diagnosed with CML1, over 10,000 with MDS/MPD2, and up to 6,000 with GIST3 in the U.S. Despite the proven clinical benefits of imatinib, patient adherence can be an issue,4,5 underscoring a critical unmet need for a more accessible, patient-friendly oral solution delivery system.
