CPE Exclusives

Pricing the Next Wave of COPD Therapies: Lessons from Current Reimbursement Patterns

Published: June 24, 2026
Current reimbursement patterns suggest an implied market reward per person treated of approximately $5,000-$7,000 per year for every 10% reduction in COPD exacerbations.

In this Center for Pharmacoeconomics Spotlight, we calculate the implied reimbursement value of reducing COPD exacerbations.

  • Rather than focusing solely on the list or net prices of recently approved COPD therapeutics, we consider their costs relative to their effectiveness reducing exacerbations. This allows us to translate clinical efficacy into a differentiated pricing framework.
  • Our analysis suggests that payers are valuing a 10% reduction in exacerbations around $5,000-$7,000 per year per person treated. The implied reimbursement value for reductions in exacerbations may be higher for COPD therapeutics with a narrower indication (e.g., inadequately controlled COPD and an eosinophilic phenotype).
  • If a development-stage therapy demonstrated a 30%-40% reduction in exacerbations, historical market rewards would suggest a net price range of around $16,000 to $29,000 per year.
  • These findings provide biotech executives and investors with a differentiated framework to assess potential pricing acceptance and competitive positioning for development-stage therapies for COPD.

For details on obtaining full access to the report, contact us via email at cpe@medacorp.com.

The Leerink Center for Pharmacoeconomics is a division of MEDACorp and an affiliate of Leerink Partners

Leerink Center for Pharmacoeconomics

– Melanie Whittington, PhD, Managing Director, Head of the Center for Pharmacoeconomics

Disclosures

The Center for Pharmacoeconomics (“CPE”) is a division of MEDACorp LLC (“MEDACorp”). CPE is committed to advancing the understanding and evaluating the economic and societal benefits of healthcare treatments in the United States. Through its thought leadership, evaluations, and advisory services, CPE supports decisions intended to improve societal outcomes. MEDACorp, an affiliate of Leerink Partners LLC (“Leerink Partners”), maintains a global network of independent healthcare professionals providing industry and market insights to Leerink Partners and its clients. The information provided by the Center for Pharmacoeconomics is intended for the sole use of the recipient, is for informational purposes only, and does not constitute investment or other advice or a recommendation or offer to buy or sell any security, product, or service. The information has been obtained from sources that we believe reliable, but we do not represent that it is accurate or complete and it should not be relied upon as such. All information is subject to change without notice, and any opinions and information contained herein are as of the date of this material, and MEDACorp does not undertake any obligation to update them. This document may not be reproduced, edited, or circulated without the express written consent of MEDACorp.

 

© 2026 MEDACorp LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Disclosures

The Center for Pharmacoeconomics (“CPE”) is a division of MEDACorp LLC (“MEDACorp”). CPE is committed to advancing the understanding and evaluating the economic and societal benefits of healthcare treatments in the United States. Through its thought leadership, evaluations, and advisory services, CPE supports decisions intended to improve societal outcomes. MEDACorp, an affiliate of Leerink Partners LLC (“Leerink Partners”), maintains a global network of independent healthcare professionals providing industry and market insights to Leerink Partners and its clients. The information provided by the Center for Pharmacoeconomics is intended for the sole use of the recipient, is for informational purposes only, and does not constitute investment or other advice or a recommendation or offer to buy or sell any security, product, or service. The information has been obtained from sources that we believe reliable, but we do not represent that it is accurate or complete and it should not be relied upon as such. All information is subject to change without notice, and any opinions and information contained herein are as of the date of this material, and MEDACorp does not undertake any obligation to update them. This document may not be reproduced, edited, or circulated without the express written consent of MEDACorp.

 

© 2026 MEDACorp LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Disclosures

The Center for Pharmacoeconomics (“CPE”) is a division of MEDACorp LLC (“MEDACorp”). CPE is committed to advancing the understanding and evaluating the economic and societal benefits of healthcare treatments in the United States. Through its thought leadership, evaluations, and advisory services, CPE supports decisions intended to improve societal outcomes. MEDACorp, an affiliate of Leerink Partners LLC (“Leerink Partners”), maintains a global network of independent healthcare professionals providing industry and market insights to Leerink Partners and its clients. The information provided by the Center for Pharmacoeconomics is intended for the sole use of the recipient, is for informational purposes only, and does not constitute investment or other advice or a recommendation or offer to buy or sell any security, product, or service. The information has been obtained from sources that we believe reliable, but we do not represent that it is accurate or complete and it should not be relied upon as such. All information is subject to change without notice, and any opinions and information contained herein are as of the date of this material, and MEDACorp does not undertake any obligation to update them. This document may not be reproduced, edited, or circulated without the express written consent of MEDACorp.

 

© 2026 MEDACorp LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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