STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: Novartis lottery for gene therapy begins amid tough questions; coronavirus vaccine may take a year
And so, another working week will soon draw to a close. Not a moment too soon, yes? This is, you may recall, our treasured signal to daydream about weekend plans. Our agenda, unfortunately, will be rather somber, as we remember our last surviving official mascot, Kirby HaKelev, a sweet and animated companion for many years. Thanks for everything, good boy. But what about you? This is a fine time to catch up a few moving pictures you may have missed or you could support your local library by checking out a few good tales. Or you could simply find time to catch up with someone special. Life is short, you know. Well, whatever you do, have a grand time. But, be safe. Enjoy, and see you soon.
Novartis (NVS) began a lottery this week for its spinal muscular atrophy gene therapy, called Zolgensma, as ethicists and advocates debate the merits and the design of the unusual arrangement, STAT explains. Parents say it is uncomfortable to cast their child’s fate into what felt like a sweepstakes — a kind of bizarre Willy Wonka contest — but if it was a chance to get the drug, it was worth trying. Some ethicists, meanwhile, say that favoring those with the greatest need — meaning the sickest children — would be a more ethical approach.
Continue to STAT Plus to read the full story…
