Ultomiris (ravulizumab-cwvz) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat myasthenia gravis and other conditions. Ultomiris’s cost may depend on factors such as your dosage and whether you have health insurance.

The price you pay for Ultomiris can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan and your insurance coverage (if you have it). It will also depend on how much you have to pay to receive an infusion of Ultomiris. You receive Ultomiris infusions at your doctor’s office, a clinic, or a hospital.

To find out how much you’ll pay for Ultomiris, talk with your doctor or insurance provider.

Ultomiris is a biologic drug, which means it’s made from parts of living organisms. It doesn’t come in a biosimilar form. Biosimilars are like generic drugs. Unlike generics, which are made for nonbiologic drugs, biosimilars are made for biologic drugs.

Why is there such a cost difference between biologic drugs and biosimilar drugs?

Biologic drugs can be expensive because of the research and testing needed to ensure their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a biologic drug can sell it exclusively for up to 12 years. When the biologic drug’s patent expires, other drugmakers can create biosimilar versions. This competition in the market may lead to lower costs for biosimilars. And because biosimilars are very similar to biologic drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower costs for biosimilars.

If you need help covering the cost of Ultomiris or understanding your insurance, check out these resources:

On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Ultomiris and cost.

How does the cost of Ultomiris compare with that of similar drugs, such as Soliris?

The cost of Ultomiris compared with the cost of Soliris can depend on several factors.

Both drugs come as an injection for intravenous infusion (into a vein). While they treat some of the same conditions, Ultomiris treats additional ones. Also, some uses of each drug are approved for different ages of people.

Some factors that may affect how much you pay include:

  • whether there are any savings programs available for the drug you’re prescribed (both drugs are treatments in the OneSource personalized patient support program)
  • whether you have insurance or are paying out of pocket
  • how long your treatment lasts

If you have questions about the cost of Ultomiris compared with the cost of Soliris, talk with your doctor or insurance provider. They can share more details on treatment costs based on your specific situation.

What is the Ultomiris (ravulizumab-cwvz) price per year?

Ultomiris treats several conditions. For most, treatment begins with an initial dose. Then, following that, subsequent doses may be given. These might occur once, 2 weeks later, or every 4 or 8 weeks after.

Your cost per year may be determined by factors like:

Your doctor or insurance provider can help you learn more about what you might pay for Ultomiris per year.

If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover Ultomiris. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Ultomiris in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Ultomiris requires prior authorization and you don’t receive it before you start treatment, you could pay the full cost of the drug.

Be sure to ask your insurance company whether Ultomiris requires prior authorization.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.