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Spinraza vs Zolgensma

Nusinersen  ·  Onasemnogene Abeparvovec

A repeated spinal injection against a one-time gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy, and what "one-time" really means.

At a glance

SpinrazaNusinersen
ZolgensmaOnasemnogene Abeparvovec
Brand name
Spinraza
Zolgensma
Drug class
Antisense oligonucleotide
Gene therapy
Route
Intrathecal
Not listed
Marketed by
Biogen
Novartis
First FDA approval
23 Dec 2016
Not listed
US shortage
Not listed
Not listed

Key differences

What each one treats

SpinrazaNusinersen

SPINRAZA is indicated for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in pediatric and adult patients. SPINRAZA is a survival motor neuron-2 (SMN2)-directed antisense oligonucleotide indicated for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in pediatric and adult patients ( 1 )

ZolgensmaOnasemnogene Abeparvovec

ZOLGENSMA is an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector-based gene therapy indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients less than 2 years of age with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) with bi-allelic mutations in the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. Limitations of Use The safety and effectiveness of repeat administration of ZOLGENSMA have not been evaluated [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )] . The use of ZOLGENSMA in patients with advanced SMA (e.g., complete paralysis of limbs, permanent ventilator-dependence) has not been evaluated [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )] . ZOLGENSMA is an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector-based gene therapy indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients less than 2 years of age with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) with bi-allelic mutations in the survival motor neuron 1 ( SMN1) gene. ( 1 ) Limitations of Use The safety and effectiveness of repeat administratio…

How each one works

SpinrazaAntisense oligonucleotide

12.1 Mechanism of Action SPINRAZA is an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) designed to treat SMA caused by mutations in chromosome 5q that lead to SMN protein deficiency. Using in vitro assays and studies in transgenic animal models of SMA, SPINRAZA was shown to increase exon 7 inclusion in SMN2 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) transcripts and production of full-length SMN protein.

ZolgensmaGene therapy

12.1 Mechanism of Action ZOLGENSMA is a recombinant AAV9-based gene therapy designed to deliver a copy of the gene encoding the human SMN protein. SMA is caused by a bi-allelic mutation in the SMN1 gene, which results in insufficient SMN protein expression. Intravenous administration of ZOLGENSMA that results in cell transduction and expression of the SMN protein has been observed in two human case studies [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] .

Related comparisons

Evrysdi VS Spinraza Evrysdi VS Zolgensma

Read more

Spinraza profile Zolgensma profile Gene & Cell Therapies All comparisons
This is not medical advice, and not a recommendation of one drug over the other.

Which medicine is right for a given person depends on their diagnosis, other conditions, other medicines, kidney and liver function, pregnancy, and cost or reimbursement — none of which this page knows. Two drugs in the same class are not automatically interchangeable. Never start, stop or switch a prescription medicine on the basis of a web page; that decision belongs to you and your clinician or pharmacist.

Class and summary text is written by the Priya Life Science editorial team. Label, mechanism, route, manufacturer and approval data come from the U.S. FDA via the openFDA API; shortage status from the FDA Drug Shortage Database. Approvals, indications and brand names differ between the US, EU/Ireland (EMA/HPRA) and other regions — a drug approved in one may not be approved, or may carry a different name, in another.