Novartis data suggest payers getting breaks on gene therapy Zolgensma

Novartis sales data on Tuesday suggested the Swiss drugmaker is reaping less than the $2.1 million U.S. list price for its gene therapy Zolgensma, as insurers may be getting breaks on the world’s most-expensive one-time treatment. The spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) treatment, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in May, has reaped $175 million in revenue this year, including $160 million in the third quarter. On a call following third-quarter results, Chief Executive Vas Narasimhan said roughly 100 patients have been treated under the paid program.