Yongin Severance Hospital Successfully Treats 77-Day-Old Spinal Muscular Atrophy Patient with Zolgensma

First Case in Gyeonggi Region with Direct Administration
7th Dose After Zolgensma Reimbursement

Yongin Severance Hospital exterior. [Photo by Yongin Severance Hospital]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Yonsei University College of Medicine Yongin Severance Hospital announced on the 13th that it successfully administered 'Zolgensma' treatment to a 77-day-old infant suffering from spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

The hospital explained that this is the first case in South Korea where Zolgensma was directly administered without cross-administration with existing treatments among diagnosed SMA patients, and it is the third case in domestic hospitals as well as the first case in the Gyeonggi-do region.

The infant who received Zolgensma was confirmed to have SMA through genetic testing in mid-last month, at just 55 days old. Compared to newborns of the same age, muscle tone was reduced, and neurological examination confirmed a significant decline in large muscle motor function. After prior approval for medication from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the treatment was administered 22 days after diagnosis.

Since Zolgensma was covered by insurance in August this year, there have been a total of seven cases of administration in South Korea, including this treatment. Excluding cases where Zolgensma was cross-administered following existing SMA treatments, this is the first direct administration. Zolgensma is a highly expensive drug that replaces the deficient SMN1 gene and is administered only once in a lifetime through the vascular system, making accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment crucial.

Professor Lee Ha-neul, the attending pediatric neurologist, stated, “For SMA patients, the earlier the treatment is administered at a young age, the more positive the effects on life expectancy, prevention of complications, and development of large muscle motor functions, so rapid diagnosis is important,” and added, “We hope that continuous education and awareness about the disease will be promoted socially, along with support for newborn screening.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.