FDA Approves Hemophilia B Gene Therapy, but Its Cost May Pose Access Problems for Payers

The FDA recently approved the fifth and sixth gene therapies, with four of those decisions coming in the second half of 2022. While payer respondents to a Zitter Insights survey have expressed interest in hemophilia B treatment Hemgenix (etranacogene dezaparvovec-drlb), its price may prove to be an obstacle to coverage.

On Nov. 22, the FDA approved uniQure N.V.’s Hemgenix for the treatment of people at least 18 years old with hemophilia B who currently use factor IX prophylaxis therapy or have current or historical life-threatening hemorrhage or have repeated serious spontaneous bleeding episodes. CSL Behring LLC, a CSL business, will market the gene therapy. The agency gave the first-in-class adeno-associated virus A5-based gene therapy — which previously was known as EtranaDez — priority review and orphan and breakthrough therapy designations.