A transformative genetic treatment for a rare, inherited form of blindness will come with a price tag of $425,000 per eye, or $850,000 for both, said Spark Therapeutics Inc., the tiny biotechnology company that is bringing the therapy to market.
Since Spark’s Luxturna (voretigene neparvovec) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last month, speculation over the price has grown as it became clear the therapy would be one of the first in a wave of medicines that yield remarkable results after a single treatment—and would carry a commensurate cost.
In a novel arrangement, Spark will offer discounts ...