Russia rolls out affordable SMA drug to cut reliance on costly imports

Russia has begun producing its own version of a costly spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) treatment, marking a step toward medical self-sufficiency. The new drug, Lantsens, was released in April 2024 by biotech firm Generium and is priced significantly lower than its foreign counterpart. This move follows broader efforts to manufacture essential medicines and medical devices domestically. SMA is a rare genetic disorder that weakens muscles over time due to a mutation affecting motor neurons in the spinal cord. Until recently, patients relied on imported treatments like Spinraza, Risdiplam, and Zolgensma—the latter being the world's most expensive drug at over $2 million per dose.

In April 2024, Generium launched Lantsens, a Russian-made alternative to Spinraza. A single dose costs 3.8 million rubles, roughly 25% less than Spinraza's registered maximum price of over 5.1 million rubles. Another domestic SMA drug, Nusilara, was registered by Biocad in April 2025.

Beyond SMA treatments, Russia has started producing 345 pharmaceuticals, including 25 life-saving drugs previously unavailable in the country. These medications address conditions such as cancer, hepatitis C, diabetes, and epilepsy. Additionally, the government has initiated production of 992 medical devices that were not made locally before, aiming to strengthen technological independence.

A further SMA treatment is also in development by Russia's Federal Medical-Biological Agency (FMBA). However, no specific details have been released about how many of the newly produced drugs target rare diseases like SMA or which institutions are leading the research. The introduction of Lantsens and Nusilara provides patients with more affordable SMA treatment options. Russia's push to manufacture critical drugs and medical equipment domestically reduces reliance on imports. The country's healthcare sector continues to expand its capabilities in treating rare and chronic conditions.