The groundbreaking gene replacement drug for the treatment of muscular dystrophy is now accessible to patients in Russia. Over 40 children are set to receive it by the year’s end, according to Dmitry Vlodavets, the head of the Center for Neuromuscular Pathology at Veltischev Research and Clinical Institute for Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery of the Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University
Elevidis is one of the most expensive in the world: its cost exceeds $3 million. At the end of December, Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged to assist in acquiring the medication as part of the “Wish Tree” initiative, in response to a plea from the mother of 11-year-old Nikita, who is battling Duchenne muscular dystrophy. In late April, the Expert Council of the Circle of Kindness Foundation, established by the president’s initiative, officially endorsed the inclusion of delandistrogen moxeparvovec (marketed as Elevidis) in the foundation’s list of funded purchases.
According to Dmitry Vlodavets, the drug cannot completely cure the disease, but it can help transform it into a more stable form, significantly prolonging the lives of children. The doctor observed that patients with this disease typically lose the ability to walk independently between the ages of 8 and 12, but with new treatment, this period can be extended to 20–40 years.
