PETERSBURG, Virginia – Minnesota-based Mayo Clinic is part of a partnernship to manufacture low-cost insulin. A 120,000-aquare foot factory is being built to begin production in 2024. Insulin is in increasing demand for the swelling population of people globally with diabetes. Pending government clearance, the factory will produce three types of what’s called “affordable insulin”:
> Glargine: Equivalent to and compatible with Lantus.
> Lispro: Humalog.
> Aspart: Novolog
The $124 million plant Virginia is being designed to produce a substantial amount of the insulin fpr U.S. market, with additional space to increase production of necessary. The insulins will be available in vials and prefilled pen cartridges.
Civica insulin plant. Twenty miles south of Richmond in Petersburg, population 33, 000. Part of metro Richmond, population 1,2 million.
Civica profile
The generic drug manufacturer, the nonprofit Civica, is based in Lehi, Utah. Its partners in the Virginia plant:
Hospitals: CommonSpirit Health, HCA Healthcare, Intermountain Healthcare, Kaiser Permanente, Mayo Clinic, Memorial Hermann, Providence, SSM Health, and Trinity Health.
Insurers: Blue Cross of Idaho and Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
Philanthropies: Gary and Mary West Foundation, Laura and John Arnold Foundation, and Peterson Center on Healthcare.
Insulin pricing
Traditional drug manufactures have hiked prices for insulin dramatically — 54% from 2014 to 2019. It’s gouging, say critics. Uninsured diabetics typically pay $6,000 a year for insulin. Retail pricing of Civica is projected at $30 for a vial and $55 five pen cartridges.