A new gene therapy made by Novartis is about to come to market with a potential price tag of $2 million, the Wall Street Journal reports. Details: The drug, Zolgensma, has the potential to cure spinal muscular atrophy, an inherited disease that often kills babies before their second birthday. The imminent arrival of the drug is, unsurprisingly, creating new concerns about cost. My thought bubble: The situation is emblematic of our future. With the development pipeline full of innovative drugs designed to treat or cure gut-wrenching diseases, the question of whether a baby's life is worth $2 million — and whether we as a society can afford that — is going to become a familiar one. Go deeper: The cost of gene therapies could test the health care system
Novartis is poised to market its gene therapy Novartis to treat spinal muscular atrophy, which often kills babies before they reach two years of age . A clinical trial of the therapy involved 12 babies, all of whom have passed their second birthday and achieved milestones in their development. A potential cost of $2 million for the drug has raised concern. However, drug companies are increasingly looking to alternative payment models, such as instalments or tying prices to value, to address rising costs.