Russia Launches Affordable Domestic Treatments for Rare Genetic Disorder SMA

Russia has begun producing its own treatments for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a rare genetic disorder that weakens muscles over time. The move follows years of reliance on expensive foreign medications, with two new domestic drugs now available at lower costs.

SMA affects motor neurons in the spinal cord, leading to progressive muscle loss. Until recently, patients in Russia had limited access to treatments, which include some of the world's most costly medications. In April 2024, Russian biotech firm Generium launched Lantsens, a locally made version of Spinraza, one of the three globally approved SMA drugs. A single dose of Lantsens costs 3.8 million rubles, about 25% less than the original Spinraza, which exceeds 5.1 million rubles per dose. The price cut aims to improve accessibility for patients needing long-term treatment.

A year later, in April 2025, another Russian company, Biocad, registered Nusilara, its own SMA medication. The development marks a shift in Russia's pharmaceutical industry, which has expanded production to 345 drugs, including 25 life-saving treatments previously unavailable domestically. Alongside medications, the country now manufactures 992 medical devices that were once imported.

Globally, SMA treatments remain scarce and costly. The three existing drugs—Spinraza, Risdiplam, and Zolgensma—dominate the market, with Zolgensma holding the record as the world's most expensive medication at over $2 million per dose. Meanwhile, Russia's Federal Medical-Biological Agency (FMBA) continues work on another SMA therapy, signalling further growth in domestic solutions for rare diseases. The introduction of Lantsens and Nusilara reduces Russia's dependence on foreign SMA medications. With lower prices and increased local production, more patients may now access essential treatments. The expansion also reflects broader efforts to strengthen the country's pharmaceutical and medical device industries.