In an exciting breakthrough, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given the green light to Novartis’ new gene therapy called Itvisma. This therapy is designed for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) patients aged two years and above, marking a big step in treating this rare muscle disease. SMA is a serious genetic condition caused by a mutation or missing SMN1 gene. This gene is crucial because it helps produce a protein needed for muscle movements like breathing, swallowing, and walking. In the US, around 9,000 people suffer from this disease, which is also a leading genetic cause of infant deaths. Itvisma carries the same active ingredient as Novartis’ earlier SMA treatment, Zolgensma, which is only for babies under two. But here’s the twist: Itvisma is specially made for older kids and adults. It is given directly into the spinal cord—a bold new move compared to Zolgensma’s intravenous method based on weight. This means Itvisma's dose doesn’t change with patient size, making treatment easier. Novartis shared exciting results from their late-stage trials showing Itvisma gave patients a significant 2.39-point boost on tests measuring motor skills and disease progress. This is huge news for SMA fighters looking for stronger muscle control! The price tag? Itvisma will cost about $2.59 million, slightly higher than Zolgensma’s $2.1 million. But Novartis believes the new option is worth it. Tracey Dawson, Head of Neuroscience at Novartis, told Reuters, "(This) gives patients even more choice, which for any patient is a good thing." Zolgensma itself is no small player, having earned $925 million in global sales in just the first nine months of 2025. Doctors and patients now have a powerful new weapon in the fight against SMA. With Itvisma, Novartis is not just offering a drug but a new lease on life for many suffering from this tough disease.