Roche  announced  that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a New Drug Application (NDA) for an Evrysdi® (risdiplam) tablet for people living with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Evrysdi is the only non-invasive disease-modifying treatment for SMA. The 5 mg Evrysdi tablet can either be swallowed whole or dispersed in water.

"Evrysdi has robust potential to modify the SMA disease trajectory, and has already been used to treat thousands of patients to date. This approval marks another significant step forward," said Levi Garraway, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Product Development, Roche. "The Evrysdi tablet combines established efficacy with convenience, providing an additional flexible option for SMA management."

The approval of the Evrysdi tablet was based on the results of a bioequivalence study, which demonstrated that the 5 mg tablet, whether swallowed whole or dispersed in non-chlorinated drinking water (e.g., filtered water), and original oral solution provide comparable exposure to risdiplam. This means patients who take the tablet can expect the same established efficacy and safety as the Evrysdi oral solution. The Evrysdi oral solution will remain available for those on other doses of Evrysdi and for those who may prefer the oral solution.

"We cannot underestimate the value that comes with simplifying treatment administration and disease management for people who are living with SMA or those caring for them,” said Kenneth Hobby, President of Cure SMA. "This new room temperature stable formulation option offers an additional choice that may more conveniently fit into daily living activities such as working, traveling, and education."

As part of the label extension, the Evrysdi prescribing information has been updated to include guidance on tablet administration and storage.

The new tablet, expected to be available in the coming weeks, is suitable for people two years of age or older who weigh more than 20 kgs (44 lbs).

Roche leads the clinical development of Evrysdi as part of a collaboration with the SMA Foundation and PTC Therapeutics.