Quince Therapeutics Partners with Option Care Health to Support Future U.S. Launch of Lead Rare Disease Therapy, eDSP
Quince Therapeutics a late-stage biotechnology company focused on developing transformative therapies for patients with rare diseases, announced a strategic partnership with Option Care Health, Inc. (Nasdaq: OPCH), the largest independent provider of home and ambulatory infusion services in the United States. This collaboration is intended to support the anticipated commercial development and nationwide launch of Quince’s lead therapeutic candidate, encapsulated dexamethasone sodium phosphate (eDSP), subject to favorable clinical trial outcomes and subsequent regulatory approval.
The partnership between Quince and Option Care Health is a pivotal step in establishing an advanced infrastructure for the efficient and patient-centered delivery of eDSP across the U.S. The therapy is being developed for the treatment of Ataxia-Telangiectasia (A-T), a rare, progressive neurodegenerative disorder with no approved disease-modifying therapies. By engaging Option Care Health’s vast national network of pharmacies and infusion centers, Quince aims to ensure timely, consistent, and broad access to its novel therapy for patients in both urban and rural settings.
Leveraging a National Infusion Infrastructure
With over 90 full-service specialty pharmacies and more than 180 ambulatory infusion suites nationwide, Option Care Health brings significant scale and expertise to the partnership. This infrastructure is particularly well-suited to meet the complex needs of patients with rare diseases such as A-T. By offering both in-home and site-based infusion services, Option Care Health provides flexible options to match patient preferences and clinical requirements, a critical component of care delivery in the rare disease community.
The collaboration will allow for a streamlined, unified approach to eDSP administration by eliminating the need to rely on a fragmented network of individual academic medical centers. Instead, patients will benefit from a more standardized and controlled treatment experience through a centralized platform that supports consistent clinical oversight, adherence monitoring, and reporting.
Supporting the A-T Patient Journey
The patient journey in rare diseases is often marked by limited access to specialized care, inconsistent treatment delivery, and burdensome travel to major academic hospitals. Quince’s partnership with Option Care Health directly addresses these challenges by ensuring that the delivery of eDSP is both scalable and geographically accessible. Patients will have the opportunity to receive infusions at nearby locations or potentially in the comfort of their own homes, depending on medical suitability.
Moreover, the single-provider model will give Quince better control over the patient experience, ensuring quality and consistency across the treatment pathway. It also simplifies logistics and enhances operational efficiency for the company as it prepares for eDSP commercialization.
“As we look ahead to a potential commercial launch, it’s imperative that we think beyond drug development and focus on the totality of the patient experience,” said Charles Ryan, J.D., Ph.D., President of Quince Therapeutics. “Our partnership with Option Care Health is designed to do exactly that—optimize the delivery of our innovative eDSP therapy in a way that reduces burdens on patients and caregivers, improves access, and supports long-term treatment success.”
Expanded Support Capabilities
In addition to its infusion and pharmacy infrastructure, Option Care Health offers a comprehensive suite of services that will further support Quince’s commercialization plans. These include:
- Third-Party Logistics (3PL): Ensuring seamless inventory storage, distribution, and order fulfillment.
- Inventory Distribution Management: Monitoring and controlling eDSP supply across locations to avoid shortages or waste.
- Program Management: Coordination of services, stakeholders, and timelines to align with commercial objectives.
- Customized Patient Registration and Hub Services: A centralized hub for patient onboarding, benefits verification, and care coordination.
- Clinician-Delivered Services: Nurse-administered infusions and patient monitoring to ensure safe and effective therapy delivery.
- Physician Reporting and Data Collection: Providing prescribers with real-time insights into treatment progress and patient outcomes.
These capabilities are expected to provide a high level of operational efficiency and support for Quince as it navigates the regulatory approval and commercialization pathway for eDSP.
“Option Care Health brings a powerful combination of logistical sophistication, clinical excellence, and a deep understanding of rare and orphan disease care,” said Ryan. “Their proven track record makes them an ideal partner as we advance toward the commercial stage of our lead program.”
Preparing for Broader Indications
While the initial indication for eDSP is focused on A-T, Quince has signaled interest in exploring additional therapeutic applications, including the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), another devastating genetic disorder with significant unmet medical needs. The scalable infrastructure provided by Option Care Health positions Quince to potentially extend its reach to other patient populations in the future without the need to build new delivery networks from scratch.
“This partnership isn’t just about today—it’s also about laying the foundation for the future,” Ryan noted. “With Option Care Health, we have a long-term commercialization partner who can support our expansion into new indications, ensuring that more patients can benefit from our science.”
A Shared Commitment to Rare Disease Communities
Option Care Health has built a reputation as a trusted partner in the delivery of high-touch care for complex and chronic conditions, including rare diseases. Its dedicated biopharma solutions team works closely with drug developers to design tailored service models that improve access, affordability, and outcomes for patients with limited treatment options.
“As a leading provider in the treatment of rare and orphan diseases, we are honored to be selected by Quince as its specialty infusion therapy partner,” said Eric Daugherty, Senior Vice President, Biopharma Relations at Option Care Health. “Together, we are committed to ensuring that eDSP is not only available, but accessible in a way that minimizes barriers and supports a seamless, supportive experience for patients and providers alike.”
The collaboration underscores both organizations’ shared mission to improve the lives of patients affected by rare diseases through innovation, access, and personalized care.
