Sidra Medicine Administers Qatar’s First Itvisma^TM Gene Therapy for Spinal Muscular Atrophy

One-time gene replacement therapy expands access to precision treatment for eligible children, adolescents, and adults living with spinal muscular atrophy

Doha, Qatar – 28 July 2026: Sidra Medicine, a member of Qatar Foundation, has become the first hospital in Qatar to administer Itvisma^TM (onasemnogene abeparvovec) an advanced one-time gene replacement therapy to 13-year-old Khalid, an adolescent living with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). 

The milestone represents an important advancement in Qatar’s precision medicine journey, marking it as the third country in the world to administer Itvisma^TM. The new gene-therapy protocol also highlights Sidra Medicine’s leadership in delivering highly specialized therapies for patients living with rare genetic diseases. 

Prof. Ibrahim Janahi, Chief Medical Officer at Sidra Medicine, said: “Administering Itvisma™ to our first patient marks an important milestone not only for Sidra Medicine, but also for the future of rare disease care in Qatar. It demonstrates what can be achieved when multidisciplinary expertise, precision medicine, and advanced interventional radiology capabilities come together around one goal: improving outcomes for patients with complex genetic conditions. Our priority is to ensure that eligible patients and their families can access advanced therapies closer to home through a coordinated care pathway that supports them before, during, and long after treatment.”

Expanding Precision Treatment for Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Spinal muscular atrophy is a rare genetic neuromuscular disease caused by a missing or non-functioning survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. Without a functioning SMN1 gene, the body cannot produce enough survival motor neuron (SMN) protein, which is essential for motor neuron survival and normal muscle function.

Itvisma^TM is a one-time intrathecal gene replacement therapy designed to address the underlying genetic cause of SMA by delivering a functional copy of the human SMN1 gene. Treatment eligibility is determined following comprehensive clinical and genetic assessment by an experienced multidisciplinary team.

Prof. Tawfeg Ben Omran, Division Chief of Genetics and Genomic Medicine at Sidra Medicine, said: “For decades, spinal muscular atrophy was considered a relentlessly progressive disease with limited treatment options. Gene therapy is changing that reality by allowing us to move beyond managing symptoms and toward addressing the disease at its genetic source. Through comprehensive genetic evaluation, careful patient selection, and long-term multidisciplinary follow-up, we are helping redefine what is possible for patients living with rare genetic disorders. Using interventional radiology for precision intervention, places Sidra Medicine as one of the first pediatric hospitals in the world to adopt this approach, especially with patients with complex spinal anatomy.”

Advancing Access Through Innovation and Collaboration

Delivering a one-time gene therapy requires careful coordination across multiple specialties to ensure every stage – from patient selection and treatment planning to procedural delivery and long-term follow-up – is completed safely and effectively. 

The administration of Itvisma^TM followed months of multidisciplinary preparation involving specialists from Genetics and Genomic Medicine; Interventional Radiology; Neurology; Pharmacy; Anesthesiology, Pediatric Intensive Care; Pulmonology; Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation; Nursing; Endocrinology; and Orthopedic Spine Services. Together, the teams established a coordinated clinical pathway designed to support the patient throughout every stage of care.

The gene therapy was delivered through a single intrathecal injection in interventional radiology. The approach enables the clinical team to visualize the procedure in real time, navigate complex anatomy, and support accurate needle placement and controlled delivery into the spinal canal. The approved protocol specifies that Itvisma^TM should be administered intrathecally through lumbar puncture by healthcare professionals experienced in performing the procedure, with emphasis on image guidance due to the severe scoliosis present in this patient group.

Dr. Walid Mubarak, Senior Attending Physician in Interventional Radiology at Sidra Medicine, said: “With a one-time intrathecal therapy, detailed procedural planning and accurate delivery are critical. Advanced interventional radiology capabilities enable us to position the needle precisely and administer the therapy under real-time imaging while maintaining patient safety throughout every stage of the procedure. This achievement reflects the early adoption of advanced interventional techniques by our precision medicine teams, which only serves to benefit our patients. The advanced procedural capabilities available at Sidra Medicine allow us to deliver precision medicine via precision intervention. We are honored to be a part of this program and helping the family receive the best care possible.”

Mohammed Ezz Eldin, Head of the GCC Cluster at Novartis, said: “This milestone is ultimately about patients and their families and expanding access to innovative therapies that address significant unmet needs. It reflects what can be achieved through close collaboration with healthcare partners and a shared commitment to advancing timely access to treatment. At Novartis, we remain committed to reimagining medicine to improve and extend people’s lives. We look forward to continuing our work alongside Sidra Medicine and the wider healthcare community in Qatar to support eligible patients living with spinal muscular atrophy.”

A Journey Defined by Determination and Hope

For Khalid and his family, receiving the gene therapy represents the culmination of years of determination and an unwavering search for the best possible treatment. Diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at an early age, Khalid’s family sought specialist medical advice internationally while continuing to follow advances in SMA care. The availability of Itvisma^TM at Sidra Medicine has now enabled him to receive advanced gene therapy in Qatar, close to his family and the multidisciplinary team that has supported his care.

Khalid’s mother said: “As a mother, you never stop believing in your child or searching for the best possible care. We traveled to different countries looking for answers and treatment options, and seeing Khalid receive this therapy here in Qatar is a dream come true. We are deeply grateful to everyone at Sidra Medicine for their compassion, expertise, and exceptionally coordinated care throughout our journey.”

Now 13 years old, Khalid is a high-performing student at Qatar Academy Sidra and is known for his determination, positive outlook, and love of video games. Khalid said: “Receiving this treatment in Qatar means so much to me and my family. I am thankful to all of the doctors, nurses, and healthcare teams who supported us throughout this journey. The first thing I want to do is take my mother to Makkah and Medina. I also look forward to continuing my studies and becoming a doctor one day so I can help other children like me.”

One-Time Treatment, Ongoing Care

Itvisma^TM is registered with the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) in Qatar, enabling eligible patients to access the therapy locally following comprehensive specialist assessment. Although it is administered as a one-time treatment, comprehensive follow-up and multidisciplinary care remain essential components of the patient’s journey.

Khalid will continue to receive scheduled follow-up care at Sidra Medicine to monitor his safety and clinical progress. His personalized care plan includes laboratory monitoring during the early post-treatment period, management of the required corticosteroid regimen, and ongoing evaluation of motor function, respiratory health, mobility, rehabilitation goals, and overall well-being.

Prof. Tawfeg Ben-Omran concluded: “The frequency and duration of follow-up will be tailored to Khalid’s clinical needs. We are really pleased to see him thriving after his procedure and wish him all the best in his journey to becoming an inspiring doctor.”

Advancing the Future of Precision Medicine

The administration of Itvisma^TM further strengthens Sidra Medicine’s position as a regional center for advanced therapies, precision medicine, and rare disease care. By combining specialized clinical expertise, genetics and genomic medicine, advanced interventional capabilities, and coordinated multidisciplinary care, Sidra Medicine continues to expand treatment options for patients in Qatar and across the Middle East and North Africa.

The milestone also demonstrates how collaboration between healthcare providers, industry partners, patients, and families can accelerate access to groundbreaking therapies and translate scientific innovation into real-world patient care.

For international patient inquiries, patients and families can visit the Sidra Medicine website www.sidra.org.