Zolgensma label breadth on higher end of expectations, says Credit Suisse

Credit Suisse analyst Evan Seigerman noted that the FDA announced approval for Novartis’ (NVS) Zolgensma for the treatment of Spinal Muscular Atrophy, or SMA, in patients with bi-allelic mutations in the SMN1 gene under 2 years of age. The current wholesale acquisition cost for Biogen’s (BIIB) Spinraza equates to a per-year treatment cost of $500,000 for the first year loading phase and $250,000-$375,000 per year for maintenance thereafter, which compares to a WAC of $2.125M for Zolgensma, which is administered just once, noted Seigerman. While investors generally expected Zolgensma would be approved, the breadth of the label was on the higher end of expectations, Seigerman tells investors. The pricing and label support his below consensus view of Spinraza, as he continues to expect that Zolgensma will become the preferred first option for infant-onset type 1 SMA, said the analyst, who reiterates his $198 price target and Underperform rating on Biogen shares

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