Update: Novartis' Spinal Muscular Atrophy Treatment Linked to Tumors in Children

05:59 AM EST, 11/06/2026 (MT Newswires) -- (Updates throughout with Novartis' statement) Novartis (NOVN.SW) said testing found evidence of vector DNA integration in two children who had previously received its Zolgensma gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy. In an emailed statement to MT Newswires on Friday, the Swiss drugmaker said it received nine reports of tumors in patients treated with the therapy since its first approval in 2019. Both patients with confirmed evidence of vector DNA integration have undergone treatment and remain under monitoring. Novartis said the potential risk of tumors associated with vector integration is included in Zolgensma's prescribing information, adding that it had notified health authorities in both cases and would continue working with them on next steps.