Breakthrough Treatment for Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Medcare Royal Speciality Hospital in Dubai has become the first medical facility outside the United States to administer a newly licensed gene therapy, Itvisma, to an adult patient with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). The treatment was successfully given to a 22-year-old Egyptian patient on 28th April 2026.
Diagnosed with SMA at 18 months, the patient has spent much of his life confined to a wheelchair. This marks a significant milestone as previous gene therapies for SMA were primarily available to children under two.
SMA is a rare neuromuscular disease that leads to progressive muscle weakness and loss of mobility, affecting movement, breathing, and swallowing. Medcare's introduction of Itvisma offers hope for those older than two years.
Last year, Medcare also became the first healthcare provider to administer Itvisma to a four-year-old SMA patient, showcasing their pioneering efforts in this field.
Dr. Shanila Laiju, Group CEO of Medcare Hospitals and Medical Centres, stated, "We believe expanding SMA treatment for adults can transform thousands of lives across the Middle East and beyond. The introduction of Itvisma at Medcare builds on our pioneering role in treating older SMA patients, as recognised by Novartis."
Multidisciplinary Team Effort
A multidisciplinary team at Medcare delivered the therapy, led by Dr. Vivek Mundada, clinical lead of Medcare's Gene Therapy Unit, and included neurologist Dr. Sagar Kawale and anaesthesia specialists Dr. Neha Shahane and Dr. Ardalan Papari.
This one-time treatment involves delivering a functional copy of the missing SMN1 gene directly into the cerebrospinal fluid.
Dr. Vivek Mundada explained, "For years, curative treatment options were not available for adult SMA patients. The one-time gene therapy, Itvisma, works by delivering a functional copy of the missing SMN1 gene directly into the cerebrospinal fluid, addressing the root cause."
Following the treatment, the patient expressed satisfaction, stating, "The experience of taking the treatment was very positive and comfortable, with no pain felt around the injection area. I am glad that I don’t have to take multiple injections like I used to before."
Globally, SMA affects 1 in 10,000 live births, and Medcare has treated over 190 SMA and 20 DMD patients from regions including the MEA, Asia, and Europe.
