9amHealth, a virtual cardiometabolic care company, and Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company, PBC (Cost Plus Drugs), are collaborating to allow 9amHealth to use lower-cost oral meds from Cost Plus Drugs as an alternative to treat obesity.
The company's obesity program for self-insured employers includes branded GLP-1 medications for obesity through direct manufacturer partnerships.
The two companies aim to target employers seeking to extend coverage for weight management and chronic co-conditions, such as diabetes, high cholesterol and hypertension.
Employees will have access to medications through Cost Plus Drugs, alongside 9amHealth's care team of obesity medicine physicians, endocrinologists and cardiometabolic specialists.
Paul Geevarghese, COO and cofounder of 9amHealth, stated that his company's collaboration with Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs aims to give employers a way to provide medical management of obesity without a large price tag.
"We're not only lowering the cost of medications, we're also connecting members to real, human care: specialists in obesity and diabetes, clinical pharmacists and ongoing nutritional support with registered dietitians, all from the comfort of home, " Geevarghese said in a statement.
THE LARGER TREND
In 2024, eNavvi teamed with Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company to allow physicians to prescribe medications directly via eNavvi's digital prescription pad to more than 7,000 independent pharmacies and national grocery pharmacy chains.
That same year, Wheel partnered with Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company, mental health platform Talkspace and diagnostic services company Health Gorilla.
The collaboration enabled Wheel to deliver mental health services, home delivery prescription drug pricing options, and lab and diagnostic services through its integrated virtual care ecosystem.
In 2022, 9amHealth scored $16 million in a Series A funding round led by 7wireVentures and Human Capital. StartUp Health, Leaps By Bayer, Define Ventures and Founders Fund also participated in the funding round.
Other players in the obesity care space include pharma giant Lilly, which in 2024 launched a digital health experience called LillyDirect. It offers patients with diabetes, obesity and migraines access to healthcare providers, educational information and a digital pharmacy for select Lilly medicines.
The platform includes LillyDirect Pharmacy Solutions, which allows patients to order Lilly's drugs through a third-party online pharmacy fulfillment service that delivers them directly to their homes.
