Gene therapies could mean billions in NHS savings

Widening access to cell and gene therapies (CGTs) could result in economic gains of over £20 billion for the UK within a decade, according to a new report.

CGTs treat the underlying cause of conditions by modifying cells or genes through a single intervention to halt disease progression, or even offer a cure, reducing the need for long-term care or treatment. A report published by the Office of Health Economics and the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, an independent body focused on advancing CGTs, both in London, evaluated the economic value of large-scale use of these treatments across four conditions. The report projected that this could result in economic gains of over £20 billion over ten years for individual patients and caregivers, NHS and social care systems, and the economy.

'Widening access to CGTs yields substantive societal benefits, even when only health-related outcomes are counted,' said Grace Hampson, director at the Office of Health Economics and lead author of the report. 'But this is only one part of the story: when we estimate the non-health-related benefits of CGTs, like industrial expansion and highly skilled job creation, the benefits to the wider economy will be even greater.'

Gene therapies use genome editing or recombinant DNA technology to modify the patient's DNA, while cell therapies involve modifying and cultivating cells outside of the body, which are then transferred to the patient to induce a therapeutic effect.

The report evaluated the implementation of CGTs for four diseases: acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, acute myeloid leukaemia, beta-thalassaemia, all with existing CGTs, and Alzheimer's disease, which has therapies in development.

The cost-benefit for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia was conservatively estimated at over £11 million for individuals over ten years, alongside improved quality of life and reduced mortality. The report also projected that treating acute myeloid leukaemia patients with CGTs could yield £583 million in individual gains and £5.5 million for the UK economy, mainly driven by reducing care needs. The biggest projected economic impact of treating beta-thalassaemia with CGTs was to the healthcare system, with estimated savings of £74 million due to patients no longer relying on regular blood transfusions.

The benefits of future advanced therapies for Alzheimer's disease were projected at £40 billion for individuals and £21 billion for the national economy, driven by better health outcomes and quality of life, resulting in reduced care needs and extra years in work for patients.

David Watson, executive director of patient access at the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, who was not involved in the report, commented on the findings to The Pharmaceutical Journal: 'We should view healthcare spending as an investment. It's vital to take a long-term perspective on the value and cost-effectiveness of medicines – considering not just the initial price but the lasting outcomes they deliver over many years for patients and the economy.'

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) previously approved the use of gene therapies for some specific conditions on the NHS (see BioNews 1098 and 1132), but advised against CGTs in other cases, due in part to concerns about cost-effectiveness (BioNews 1202 and 1207).