24 June 2020 - Novartis is set to launch its one-off gene therapy Zolgensma for the ultra-rare muscle-wasting disease spinal muscular atrophy in Germany at the start of July priced at 1,945,000 euros, and says it hopes to reach a “smart deal” allowing UK patients access by the end of the year.

The European Commission granted a conditional marketing authorisation for Zolgensma at the end of last month, covering children and babies weighing up to 21 kg with the most severe form of the muscle wasting disease.

A company spokesperson told pharmaphorum that patients in Germany are likely to get the drug first, as drug pricing is decided by each member state and negotiations with payers in other major European countries are ongoing.

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