When a child urgently needed access to Mesoblast’s Ryoncil, a specialty medication, Optum Frontier Therapies delivered. As the exclusive specialty pharmacy for this cell therapy, the team ensured the medication arrived within days. For one of the most vulnerable patient populations, this wasn’t just a delivery; it was a lifeline.
The big picture: Treating a rare disease requires seamless coordination across the health care system, and by the time patients reach our pharmacies, they’ve often navigated years of care with few answers and multiple specialists. Medications and treatment plans may not be available, and when they are, pathways to coverage often do not exist, creating more burdens for patients and their care teams.
Delivering specialty medications with care, speed and trust
This moment reflects the power of Optum Frontier Therapies’ pharmacy model. Limited distribution drugs (LDDs) are high-cost, high-touch medications selected by manufacturers for distribution through a limited network due to their complexity or handling requirements. Optum Frontier Therapies’ clinical expertise and operational reliability make it a preferred partner for manufacturers – like Mesoblast – seeking a trusted partner who can deliver quality care and help track longitudinal outcomes that show the efficacy of their drug.
By the numbers
Today, Optum has access to more than 200 LDDs and continues to expand. In 2025 alone, Optum was awarded access to 12 new LDDs across its pharmacy network – including Optum Specialty Pharmacy, Optum Frontier Therapies, Optum Infusion Pharmacy and Genoa Healthcare*. With real-time data and a commitment to seamless coordination, Optum is helping more patients get the therapies they need, when they need them most. This includes:
“As innovation accelerates and the pipeline of limited distribution drugs expands, our focus remains clear: helping people live healthier lives by ensuring timely, safe access to the therapies they need. Through deep clinical expertise, strong manufacturer and payer partnerships, and a patient-first approach, we’re making it easier for individuals with complex conditions to start and stay on life-changing treatments.”
Micaila Ruiz | PharmD, MPH, VP, Specialty Franchises, Optum Rx Specialty Pharmacy
The bottom line: These therapies span a range of conditions and treatment modalities, supported by Optum’s multidisciplinary teams. To learn more about Optum’s pharmacies and new drug approvals, visit Optum’s pharmacy drug approval page.
*As of Nov. 1, 2025
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