$1 million price tag in spotlight as gene therapy becomes reality

Spark Therapeutics (ONCE.O), whose Luxturna treatment has been recommended for U.S. approval, told investors last week there was a case for valuing it at more than $1 million per patient, although it has yet to set an actual price.

However, the U.S. Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) said this week “at a placeholder price of $1,000,000, the high cost makes this unlikely to be a cost-effective intervention at commonly used cost-effectiveness thresholds”.

The ICER analysis did concede Luxturna was likely to be more cost-effective for younger patients.

The expected U.S. approval of Luxturna by Jan. 12 is seen as kick-starting the sector, following disappointing sales of the first two gene therapies in Europe.

Read more at article source: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-gene-therapy/1-million-price-tag-in-spotlight-as-gene-therapy-becomes-reality-idUSKBN1DG2HL