NICE has recommended rozanolixizumab for some adults living with uncontrolled generalised myasthenia gravis, a rare autoimmune condition that can cause muscle weakness, extreme tiredness and difficulties with breathing, speech, swallowing, eyesight and movement. The decision, announced on 29 April 2026, means the treatment will be available on the NHS in England straight away through interim funding from the Innovative Medicines Fund.
A new option for a debilitating condition
Generalised myasthenia gravis is a long-term condition in which symptoms can flare unpredictably and lead to repeated hospital visits. According to NICE, there is currently no cure. The recommended treatment, also known as Rystiggo and made by UCB Pharma, is intended to help reduce symptoms and improve day-to-day quality of life for adults whose symptoms are not controlled by existing treatments.
NICE said the recommendation could benefit around 800 adults in England. The decision was published in final draft guidance, marking an important step for patients who have had limited options when standard therapies do not provide enough control.
What the guidance means for patients
Because the medicine is being made available through interim funding from the Innovative Medicines Fund, eligible patients in England can access it without delay while the wider commissioning process continues. The move highlights how NICE uses its guidance to bring selected new therapies into NHS care when they are judged to offer meaningful clinical benefit.
For people living with generalised myasthenia gravis, the recommendation offers a new treatment pathway in a disease area where symptoms can be severe and persistent. The condition can affect basic daily activities, and the availability of another option may provide additional support for people who have already tried existing medicines.
As rare disease treatments continue to advance, the latest NICE decision adds to a growing list of medicines entering NHS use through targeted funding mechanisms. For patients and clinicians, the focus now shifts to how quickly the new option can be integrated into care for those who meet the criteria.
Source: NICE announcement
