This Gene Therapy Can Restore Vision, but Will It Break the Bank?

This Gene Therapy Can Restore Vision, but Will It Break the Bank?

In October, Spark Therapeutics (NASDAQ: ONCE) took another step closer to FDA approval for its vision-restoring drug, Luxturna. An approval for the gene-editing therapy early next year would be a big breakthrough for precision medicine. But based on recent comments by Spark Therapeutics' management, it appears that this breakthrough would come with a shockingly high sticker price.

Luxturna is a gene therapy to treat patients with vision loss from biallelic RPE65 mutation-associated retinal dystrophy. It's administered by subretinal injection, and in trials, it's been shown to restore vision in more than 90% of patients for up to three years.

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Source: Fool.com