Novartis' 'full-court press' key to ensuring rapid Zolgensma access

Having a treatment that, the data show, can save the lives of babies and children facing an otherwise grim outlook is an excellent starting point for ensuring swift reimbursement for a product, but by no means is it a guarantee.

That is why Swiss pharma giant Novartis (NOVN: VX) has done more than just present outstanding data on the spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) drug Zolgensma (onasemnogene abeparvovec) to ensure that families gain access as quickly as possible.

Despite regulatory approval coming less than a year ago, agreements for reimbursement in European countries, including Italy and different parts of the UK, have been announced recently, and there is also temporary availability in Germany and France, where negotiations about permanent access are ongoing.