Onasemnogene abeparvovec, NKTR-181, golodirsen, upadacitinib and tafamidis meglumine are poised to have a significant impact on the drug market, according to a new OptumRx report.
Novartis’ Zolgensma, a gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy, was the latest drug to hit the market with tremendous force, FierceHealthcare reports. While the drug carries a $2.1 million price tag, the drugmaker said it will offer an installment plan at $425,000 per year for five years.
“Zolgensma embodies the continued emphasis on orphan drugs in the drug development pipeline and, if approved by the FDA, would be the second gene therapy available,” Optum researchers wrote in a report before the drug’s approval in May. “However, when considering that Zolgensma is a one-time treatment … Zolgensma has the potential to reduce overall costs associated with SMA, and most patients will want to try it.”
To read the full report on FierceHealthcare, click here.