The FDA has cleared Genentech's Evrysdi drug for spinal muscular atrophy in adults and children 2 months of age and older, according to an Aug. 10 announcement.
Three things to know:
1. The biotechnology company is the third to receive approval for an SMA drug. Biogen's Spinraza and Novartis' Zolgensma have also been commercialized.
2. In two clinical trials, Evrysdi has shown improvement in people of varying ages and severity of SMA. The liquid drug is administered daily by mouth or feeding tube.
3. Evrysdi's market price is set at $340,000 annually and is based on the weight of the patient. Some younger patients could receive the drug for less than $100,000 a year.