Announcement of an Exempt Purchase

CAR-T,Chimeric Antigen Receptor Therapy, is an immunological treatment that utilizes the body's immune system to target and destroy cancerous cells. Specialty Pharmaceutical Services is the exclusive distributor for three of the six CAR-T therapies currently on the market: Carvykti, Yescarta and Tecartus. In the coming years, additional CAR-T products are expected to be introduced to the market. This exemption covers all CAR-T therapies, and any future treatments.

This purchase is exempt from the usual selection processes of the Procurement Code because the procurement expenditure is for medical supplies or medical services necessary for the delivery of care and treatment at medical, dental, or veterinary teaching facilities utilized by SIU or U of I (30 ILCS 500 / 1-13(b-5)) These gene and cell therapy pharmaceuticals are used as a last option for patients who have failed previous cancer treatment. It is important that UI Health is able to make this therapy available to cancer patients with no other treatment option. With access to this treatment, patients will go elsewhere for treatment. This will result in a loss of revenue.