Turkish Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu has announced that Türkiye will begin producing its own drug for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in the first half of 2026, marking a major milestone in the country’s efforts to tackle rare diseases and reduce dependence on foreign pharmaceuticals.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Minister Memişoğlu said: “God willing, in the first half of 2026, Türkiye will produce its own SMA drug and take a step forward in treating rare diseases. After that, we will become a country that can produce its own treatments and drugs, especially in molecular therapies and rare diseases.”

The announcement comes as SMA — a rare, genetic neuromuscular disease that leads to progressive muscle weakness and atrophy — continues to be a major public health concern. The condition is caused by a deficiency of the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein, leading to the degeneration of motor neurons in the spinal cord. SMA is one of the leading genetic causes of infant mortality worldwide, with symptoms ranging from mild muscle weakness to severe paralysis and breathing difficulties.

Currently, SMA treatment is extremely costly. The most widely known drug, nusinersen (marketed as Spinraza), as well as gene therapy options such as onasemnogene abeparvovec (Zolgensma), can cost millions of dollars per patient. These high costs have been a burden on Türkiye’s health system and families affected by SMA, many of whom have relied on public campaigns and government support to access treatment abroad.

Minister Memişoğlu highlighted that domestic production will not only lower treatment costs but also strengthen Türkiye’s capacity in the field of advanced medical research. “The devices, materials, and drugs produced under the coordination of the Turkish Health Institutes (TÜSEB) will meet the health needs of both Türkiye and neighboring countries,” he said.

Experts say this move could make Türkiye a regional hub for the production of life-saving medicines, potentially allowing faster and more affordable access to treatment for thousands of SMA patients across the region.

The Ministry of Health has not yet specified which SMA treatment will be locally produced — whether it will be a generic version of an existing drug like Spinraza or a new gene therapy — but officials say work is underway with Turkish researchers and biotechnology firms.

Public health advocates have welcomed the news, calling it a “historic breakthrough” that could save lives and give hope to families who have struggled for years to secure treatment for their children. (ILKHA)