Bluebird CEO defends $1.8 million gene therapy price — 'It's really thinking about it differently'
Leschly reasoned that the one-time treatment is a game changer for patients, giving them a "lifelong benefit" while avoiding costly blood transfusions every few weeks for the rest of their lives.
Bluebird said patients will only have to pay $1.8 million if the treatment works. The company proposed a five-year installment plan, with 315,000 euros, or $356,567, paid upfront and additional payments due only if the treatment proves effective. It's a form of value-based pricing, Leschly said. "Neither Novartis' drug nor our drug is anywhere near the most expensive drug in the world. It's really thinking about it differently," Leschly said in an interview on CNBC's "Novartis and Bluebird's approvals mark a new era in medicine where new therapies can cure patients in a single treatment — but at a high price.
In rationalizing the expensive price, Novartis said the one-time treatment costs 50% less than the 10-year cost of current chronic management of the disease. Another current treatment for spinal muscular atrophy for children and adults isRelated Tags
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