Posted by Michael Wonder on 13 May 2019
Novartis pitches discounts on pricey gene therapy for deadly muscle disorder
11 May 2019 - Novartis is offering price discounts in negotiations with U.S. health insurers on its gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy, a treatment that could cost more than a million dollars, but the gesture comes with strings attached.
The Swiss drugmaker wants insurers to commit to coverage for patients identified with the rare and often deadly disease, according to Dave Lennon, head of Novartis’ AveXis unit.
Novartis also seeks their support for widespread screening to identify newborns with SMA, and to ensure quick authorization for the gene therapy, with the aim of starting treatment within two weeks of diagnosis, he said. The U.S. FDA is due to decide this month on approval for Novartis’ Zolgensma. Novartis, which has made a huge bet on gene therapy for future growth, says the one-time treatment could be a cure for spinal muscular atrophy and is pushing for a price in the range of $1.5 million to $5 million. That would make Zolgensma the most expensive new therapy to date.
