It contains engineered viruses carrying copies of a gene meant to correct lipoprotein lipase deficiency, a rare metabolic disease. The world 's most expensive prescription drug , Glybera , has been discontinued due to lack of demand . Glybera contains engineered viruses carrying copies of a gene to treat a rare metabolic disease , lipoprotein lipase deficiency , and costs $ 1 m for a one - time series of injections . Its approval by European drug regulators in September was seen as a milestone for gene therapy after a number of setbacks and safety issues . But its success has been " extremely limited " , according to manufacturer Roche , which will not renew the drug 's European marketing authorisation when it expires in October .
The world 's most expensive prescription drug , Glybera , has been discontinued due to lack of demand . Glybera contains engineered viruses carrying copies of a gene to treat a rare metabolic disease , lipoprotein lipase deficiency , and costs $ 1 m for a one - time series of injections . Its approval by European drug regulators in September was seen as a milestone for gene therapy after a number of setbacks and safety issues . But its success has been " extremely limited " , according to manufacturer Roche , which will not renew the drug 's European marketing authorisation when it expires in October .