Novartis Says New Drug Helps Children With Rare Spinal Condition

Novartis AG said a new experimental medicine improved motor function in children with a form of spinal muscular atrophy, the devastating disorder targeted by its gene therapy Zolgensma, in an advanced study.

The study included children with a form of the disease known as type 2 who had never received treatment, were aged two or older and could sit but had never walked independently, the Swiss drugmaker said.