Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2025

Author Spotlight: Creating a Versatile Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Model Relevant for Both Male and Female Mice
Published on: October 13, 2023
Inebilizumab for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders in Italy: a budget impact model
Carlo Lazzaro1,2, Nicola Amedeo Mazzanti3, Silvia Rossi3
1Studio di Economia Sanitaria, Milan, Italy.
Background:
The Italian National Health Service (INHS) has recently reimbursed the monoclonal antibody inebilizumab as a second line monotherapy after rituximab (RTX) use for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) patients ≥ 18 years anti-aquaporin 4 antibody-immunoglobulin G positive, who experienced a relapse in the last year or cannot receive RTX, if incident patients. Other INHS-reimbursed drugs for NMOSD treatment are satralizumab, eculizumab and, off-label, besides RTX, ocrelizumab, tocilizumab, and immunosuppressants.
Research Design And Methods:
A 3-year (2023-2025) prevalence-based budget impact model following the INHS viewpoint compared the costs and the NMOSD attacks without (1st scenario) and with inebilizumab (2nd scenario). The epidemiology of NMOSD, and the INHS-funded healthcare resources (drugs and their administration; specialist visits; hospitalizations due to drug-related adverse events and NMOSD attacks) were obtained from the literature. One-way, threshold value and scenario sensitivity analyses investigated the robustness of the baseline findings.
Results:
During 2023-2025 inebilizumab saves the INHS €8,373,125.13 (1st scenario: €176,770,028.63; 2nd scenario: €168,396,903.50) and 12.74 NMOSD attacks (1st scenario: 213.94; 2nd scenario: 201.19). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the baseline results.
Conclusion:
Inebilizumab reduces the INHS expenditure for NMOSD drugs. Future research should explore the cost-effectiveness of inebilizumab vs other NMOSD-targeting drugs in Italy.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents
Myasthenia Gravis: Overview and Treatment
These antibodies interfere with the function of the nicotinic receptors in three ways: by binding to the receptor and disrupting acetylcholine binding; by causing cross-linking of receptors which...

