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ZOLGENSMA Stories

Tenley has 2 copies of SMN2 gene
Treated at ~5½ months old

ZOLGENSMA Stories

Everyone’s spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) story is unique, but many families have faced the same diagnosis, and it can be comforting to hear their personal stories. Why did so many parents and their doctors choose ZOLGENSMA® (onasemnogene abeparvovec-xioi)? Spend some time with Aniya, Brady, Eli, Evelyn, or one of the other children treated with ZOLGENSMA.

Find a story here

    Aniya

    “Even with 4 copies, we needed to act.”
    SMA Type 3 (4 copies of SMN2 gene)

    Video: a toddler girl looking forward as her parents gaze at her with pridePlay icon

    Quinn

    “She needed to get treated immediately.”
    SMA Type 2 (3 copies of SMN2 gene)

    Video: an excited toddler girl sits in front of a pile of presents as her brother looks onPlay icon

    Maisie

    “We still wanted ZOLGENSMA because it’s one-time therapy.”
    SMA Type 1 (2 copies of SMN2 gene)

    Video: a smiling toddler sits in her cribPlay icon

    Malachi

    “He was just gaining more and more strength.”
     SMA Type 1 (2 copies of SMN2 gene)

    Video: a small boy and his mother play with a ballPlay icon

    Olivia

    “We celebrate Olivia’s treatment day every year.”
    SMA Type 1 (2 copies of SMN2 gene)

    Video: a toddler girl plays in her bedroomPlay icon

    Evelyn

    “The infusion took about an hour. And in the end, everybody clapped.” SMA Type 1 (2 copies of SMN2 gene)

    Video: a mother and young girl readPlay icon

    Stella

    “The night before I was a ball of nerves.”
    SMA Type 1 (2 copies of SMN2 gene)

    Video: a young girl plays in an inner tubePlay icon

    Lucy

    “A chance to live a life in defiance of her diagnosis.”
    SMA diagnosed before symptoms (2 copies of SMN2 gene)

    Video: a smiling toddler girl plays in a sandboxPlay icon

    Tenley

    “She is truly the epitome of never give up.”
    SMA Type 1 (2 copies of SMN2 gene)

    Video: two parents play with a young girlPlay icon

    Adalyne

    “ZOLGENSMA was able to give Addy a second chance.”
    SMA Type 1 (2 copies of SMN2 gene)

    Video: a young girl tries on big girl sunglassesPlay icon

    Brady

    “From the day we received the diagnosis, our journey went really fast.” SMA Type 2 (3 copies of SMN2 gene)

    Video: a young boy in a cowboy hat riding a horse with his mother at the reinsPlay icon

    Donovan

    “We’re actually able to see this treatment working.”
    SMA Type 1 (2 copies of SMN2 gene)

    Video: a young boy plays with a sorter toyPlay icon

    Eli

    “I knew at that point my wish had been granted.”
    SMA Type 1 (2 copies of SMN2 gene)

    Video: a young child draws on the tray of a highchairPlay icon

    Louis

    “So everything is wow!”
    SMA Type 1 (2 copies of SMN2 gene)

    Video: a mom and her son on a slidePlay icon

    Matteo

    “I want to cook on the moon.”
    SMA Type 1 (2 copies of SMN2 gene)

    Video: a young boy is having a great time on a playground setPlay icon

    Learn how to get your child started with ZOLGENSMA

    See the path to ZOLGENSMA

    Important Safety Information

    Expand to see more

    What is the most important information I should know about ZOLGENSMA?

    • ZOLGENSMA can increase liver enzyme levels and cause acute serious liver injury or acute liver failure which could result in death.
    • Patients will receive an oral corticosteroid before and after infusion with ZOLGENSMA and will undergo regular blood tests to monitor liver function.
    • Contact the patient's doctor immediately if the patient's skin and/or whites of the eyes appear yellowish, if the patient misses a dose of corticosteroid or vomits it up, or if the patient experiences a decrease in alertness.

    What should I watch for before and after infusion with ZOLGENSMA?

    • Infections before or after ZOLGENSMA infusion can lead to more serious complications. Caregivers and close contacts with the patient should follow infection prevention procedures. Contact the patient's doctor immediately if the patient experiences any signs of a possible infection such as coughing, wheezing, sneezing, runny nose, sore throat, or fever.
    • Decreased platelet counts could occur following infusion with ZOLGENSMA. Seek immediate medical attention if the patient experiences unexpected bleeding or bruising.
    • Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) has been reported to generally occur within the first two weeks after ZOLGENSMA infusion. Seek immediate medical attention if the patient experiences any signs or symptoms of TMA, such as unexpected bruising or bleeding, seizures, or decreased urine output.
    • There is a theoretical risk of tumor development with gene therapies such as ZOLGENSMA. Contact the patient’s doctor and Novartis Gene Therapies, Inc. (1-833-828-3947) if a tumor develops.

    What do I need to know about vaccinations and ZOLGENSMA?

    • Talk with the patient's doctor to decide if adjustments to the vaccination schedule are needed to accommodate treatment with a corticosteroid.
    • Protection against influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is recommended and vaccination status should be up-to-date prior to ZOLGENSMA administration. Please consult the patient's doctor.

    Do I need to take precautions with the patient's bodily waste?

    Temporarily, small amounts of ZOLGENSMA may be found in the patient's stool. Use good hand hygiene when coming into direct contact with patient body waste for one month after infusion with ZOLGENSMA. Disposable diapers should be sealed in disposable trash bags and thrown out with regular trash.

    What are the possible or likely side effects of ZOLGENSMA?

    The most common side effects that occurred in patients treated with ZOLGENSMA were elevated liver enzymes and vomiting.

    Indication

    What is ZOLGENSMA?

    ZOLGENSMA is a prescription gene therapy used to treat children less than 2 years old with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). ZOLGENSMA is given as a one-time infusion into a vein. ZOLGENSMA was not evaluated in patients with advanced SMA.

    The safety information provided here is not comprehensive. Talk to the patient's doctor about any side effects that bother the patient or that don't go away.

    You are encouraged to report suspected side effects by contacting the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch, or Novartis Gene Therapies, Inc. at 1-833-828-3947.

    Please see the FullPrescribing Information.

    Tap or scroll down to read full Important Safety Information and IndicationArrow icon

    Important Safety Information

    What is the most important information I should know about ZOLGENSMA?

    • ZOLGENSMA can increase liver enzyme levels and cause acute serious liver injury or acute liver failure which could result in death.
    • Patients will receive an oral corticosteroid before and after infusion with ZOLGENSMA and will undergo regular blood tests to monitor liver function.
    • Contact the patient’s doctor immediately if the patient’s skin and/or whites of the eyes appear yellowish, if the patient misses a dose of corticosteroid or vomits it up, or if the patient experiences a decrease in alertness.

    What should I watch for before and after infusion with ZOLGENSMA?

    • Infections before or after ZOLGENSMA infusion can lead to more serious complications. Caregivers and close contacts with the patient should follow infection prevention procedures. Contact the patient’s doctor immediately if the patient experiences any signs of a possible infection such as coughing, wheezing, sneezing, runny nose, sore throat, or fever.
    • Decreased platelet counts could occur following infusion with ZOLGENSMA. Seek immediate medical attention if the patient experiences unexpected bleeding or bruising.
    • Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) has been reported to generally occur within the first two weeks after ZOLGENSMA infusion. Seek immediate medical attention if the patient experiences any signs or symptoms of TMA, such as unexpected bruising or bleeding, seizures, or decreased urine output.
    • There is a theoretical risk of tumor development with gene therapies such as ZOLGENSMA. Contact the patient’s doctor and Novartis Gene Therapies, Inc. (1-833-828-3947) if a tumor develops.

    What do I need to know about vaccinations and ZOLGENSMA?

    • Talk with the patient’s doctor to decide if adjustments to the vaccination schedule are needed to accommodate treatment with a corticosteroid.
    • Protection against influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is recommended and vaccination status should be up-to-date prior to ZOLGENSMA administration. Please consult the patient’s doctor.

    Do I need to take precautions with the patient’s bodily waste?

    Temporarily, small amounts of ZOLGENSMA may be found in the patient’s stool. Use good hand hygiene when coming into direct contact with patient body waste for one month after infusion with ZOLGENSMA. Disposable diapers should be sealed in disposable trash bags and thrown out with regular trash.

    What are the possible or likely side effects of ZOLGENSMA?

    The most common side effects that occurred in patients treated with ZOLGENSMA were elevated liver enzymes and vomiting.

    Indication

    What is ZOLGENSMA?

    ZOLGENSMA is a prescription gene therapy used to treat children less than 2 years old with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). ZOLGENSMA is given as a one-time infusion into a vein. ZOLGENSMA was not evaluated in patients with advanced SMA.

    The safety information provided here is not comprehensive. Talk to the patient’s doctor about any side effects that bother the patient or that don’t go away.

    You are encouraged to report suspected side effects by contacting the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch, or Novartis Gene Therapies, Inc. at 1-833-828-3947.

    Please see the Full Prescribing Information.

    This website may use cookies to improve the site and your experience. See how Novartis Gene Therapies, Inc. collects, uses, and shares your personal information in our Privacy Policy.

    The information provided in this site is intended only for audiences of the United States. This information does not take the place of talking to your healthcare professional about medical conditions and treatments. If you have questions about ZOLGENSMA after reading this information, ask your healthcare professional.

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