Zolgensma is a prescription drug that’s used to treat spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in young children. Zolgensma’s cost may depend on factors such as your child’s treatment plan and whether you have health insurance.

Zolgensma contains the active ingredient onasemnogene abeparvovec-xioi. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) It’s a kind of gene therapy that replaces the atypical SMN1 gene with a typical version.

Zolgensma comes as a liquid suspension. It’s given as an intravenous (IV) infusion (an injection into a vein given over time) by a healthcare professional.

Keep reading for details on Zolgensma and cost and how to save money on prescriptions.

The price you pay for Zolgensma can vary. Your cost may depend on the treatment plan prescribed by your child’s doctor and your insurance coverage (if you have it). It may also depend on how much you have to pay for a visit to a treatment center for your child to receive Zolgensma.

To find out how much you’ll pay for Zolgensma, talk with your doctor or insurance provider.

Zolgensma only comes as a brand-name drug. It’s not currently available in a biosimilar version. Biosimilars are drugs that are similar to a brand-name biologic drug or gene therapy (the parent drug). Zolgensma is a kind of gene therapy and is considered a biologic medication (also called a biologic).

Biologics are made from living cells. It isn’t possible to make an exact copy of these drugs. A generic, on the other hand, refers to drugs made from chemicals. A generic is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name drug.

Biosimilars are considered to be just as effective and safe as their parent drug. And like generics, biosimilars usually cost less than brand-name drugs.

To learn more about what exactly gene therapies are, check out this resource from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). You can also talk with your doctor to learn more.

Why is there such a cost difference between biologic drugs and biosimilar drugs?

Biologic drugs can be expensive because of the research and testing needed to ensure their safety and effectiveness. The drugmaker of a biologic drug can sell it for up to 12 years. When the biologic drug’s patent expires, other drugmakers can create biosimilar versions. This competition in the market may lead to lower costs for biosimilars. And because biosimilars are very similar to biologic drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower costs for biosimilars.

If you need help covering the cost of Zolgensma or understanding your insurance, check out these websites:

On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.

If you have questions about how to pay for your child’s prescription, talk with their doctor or insurance provider.

A program for Zolgensma called OneGene may also be available to you. The OneGene program includes a coordinator who will work with your insurance provider (if you have one) to review your cost for the drug. You may also be eligible for the Zolgensma CopayAssist Program as part of the OneGene program. To learn more about this program, call 855-441-4363. Your doctor may also be able to provide more information.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Zolgensma and cost.

What is the price of Zolgensma with insurance?

The cost of Zolgensma will usually be lower with insurance than without insurance. The price you pay for Zolgensma can vary depending on your child’s treatment plan and your insurance coverage. It may also depend on how much you have to pay to visit a treatment center where your child might receive Zolgensma.

With Zolgensma, your insurance company will require prior authorization before it covers the cost. In this case, your child’s doctor will communicate with your insurance company to explain why your child needs this medication. The doctor may also need to show that other treatments haven’t worked for your child’s condition.

If you have insurance, the cost of Zolgensma will also depend on your out-of-pocket costs. This can include coinsurance, copays, or deductibles. To find out how much you’ll pay for Zolgensma, talk with your doctor or insurance provider.

Why is Zolgensma so expensive?

Gene therapies like Zolgensma have such a high price tag because they have very expensive research costs. The cost to make them is also extremely high. The manufacturing and development cost required for the production of gene therapies is usually much higher compared with “traditional” drugs.

Although Zolgensma is an expensive drug, it’s a one-time treatment. So, while the cost per dose is extremely high, the overall treatment cost for Zolgensma is less than other treatments for SMA that are taken for life.

To get more details about the cost of Zolgensma, talk with your child’s doctor or insurance provider.

To learn more about what gene therapies are, check out this resource from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). You can also talk with your child’s doctor to learn more.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.