BIA welcomes news of deal between Vertex and NHS England

Steve Bates OBE, CEO of the BIA said: “We welcome today’s announcement that NHS England and Vertex have been able to reach a deal and that this drug will soon be available to patients and their families. This is one of a number of deals that the NHS has reached with industry to bring life-saving treatments to patients, showing that the UK’s health service is committed to innovation and being at the cutting edge of medical products.

“Developing treatments for small patient populations with rare diseases is difficult and complex and we applaud the efforts of the company, the NHS, the Secretary of State for Health and the thousands of families whose efforts have led us to a deal today.”

Notes to Editors

1. Please see below for five deals the NHS has reached with companies in the last year. 

2. All of the companies listed below, other than Roche, are members of the BIA.  

3. For more information please contact Jack Fellows, Communications and Media Manager on [email protected] or 02076302196

About the BIA 

Established over 25 years ago at the infancy of biotechnology, the BioIndustry Association (BIA) is the trade association for innovative life sciences in the UK. Our goal is to secure the UK's position as a global hub and as the best location for innovative research and commercialisation, enabling our world-leading research base to deliver healthcare solutions that can truly make a difference to people's lives.

Summary of five deals between companies and NHS England this year

Biogen – Spinraza (nusinersen)

Background

Spinraza is used to treat a rare form muscular dystrophy called spinal muscular dystrophy (SMA).

BioMarin – Brineura (cerliponase)

Background

Brineura is used to treat Batten Disease, a very rare and fatal disease of the nervous system, with symptoms typically emerging around the ages of five to ten years of age.

Novartis – Luxturna (voretigene neparvovec)

Background

Luxturna is a gene therapy being used to treat a rare congenital eye disorder, Leber's congenital amaurosis, which causes blindness.

Alexion – Strensiq (asfotase alfa)

Background

Strensiq is used to treat the very rare inherited bone condition paediatric-onset hypophosphatasia (HPP). 

Roche – Ocrevus (ocrelizumab)

Background

Ocrevus is used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS).