Novartis gene therapy for fatal childhood disease delivers strong sales during fourth quarter

Zolgensma, the Novartis gene therapy for infants and the world’s most expensive medicine, continues to perform well commercially, bringing in $186 million during the fourth quarter, topping analyst expectations on Wednesday.

Last June, Novartis secured U.S. approval for Zolgensma as a one-time treatment for spinal muscular atrophy, a rare and deadly neurological disease. It carries a record price tag of $2.1 million, or an annualized cost of $425,000 per year for five years.

Novartis said Wednesday that approximately 200 patients have been treated with Zolgensma since the June launch, double the figure from the end of the September quarter. Sales in 2019 were $361 million. The company said reimbursement agreements are now in place with insurers to cover 97% of patients with commercial plans and 50% of patients covered by Medicaid.

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