Scotland’s health technology assessment body has granted routine reimbursement to Novartis’ vision loss drug Luxturna after an interim funding period via its ultra-orphan pathway, while Chiesi’s Filsuvez is set to begin its journey on the same pathway.

The once-daily oral somatostatin receptor type 2 (SST2) agonist outshined placebo in patients switching from standard of care, offering an attractive alternative to once-monthly injectables.

Chiesi-owned Amryt and Krystal Biotech have approved treatments for epidermolysis bullosa but Paradigm CEO Robert Ryan tells Scrip that SD-101, a topical cream he helped develop over 20 years ago, has the potential to be offer a far more extensive and efficacious solution for many more sufferers.   

Amryt/Chiesi’s birch bark extract gel, Filsuvez, is the first ever treatment for epidermolysis bullosa, a group of rare skin disorders, to be recommended by NICE for English reimbursement.