Gene Therapy Luxturna® Now Reimbursed in Quebec for People with Previously Untreatable Inherited Vision Loss

Monday, October 17 2022 | 14 h 25 min | News

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada announces Luxturna^® (voretigene neparvovec) is now available to Quebec patients with vision loss due to inherited retinal dystrophy caused by confirmed biallelic RPE65 mutations under the province’s public health plan. This announcement follows a positive reimbursement recommendation from the Institut national d’excellence en santé et en services sociaux (INESSS) recognizing the need for treatment options to slow the progression of the disease.

“It has been a long journey for patients waiting for public access to Luxturna^®. We are pleased with the Quebec government’s decision and hope that eligible Canadians in other provinces have the same chance to be treated with Luxturna^®,” said Doug Earle, President & CEO of Fighting Blindness Canada. “To progressively lose your vision to blindness, especially at a young age, is shattering. Our hope is that other provinces move quickly, because for these Canadians, time is of the essence.”

“This is a pivotal moment for the IRD community and for patients who could benefit from treatment with Luxturna^®,” said Andrea Marazzi, Country President, Novartis Canada. “We believe the recognition by INESSS to fund Luxturna^® is vital and gives children and adults with biallelic RPE65 mutation-associated retinal dystrophy a chance for improved vision. We will continue to work towards broad reimbursement through public drug plans across Canada to ensure other Canadians have the opportunity to thrive.”

Details regarding the INESSS recommendation are available here. The reimbursement criteria for Luxturna^® (voretigene neparvovec) on Quebec’s public health plan are available here.

Click HERE for the press release.