Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Lenmeldy (atidarsagene autotemcel), the first-ever treatment for children with metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD). MLD is a very rare but serious disease that attacks the central nervous system. It shuts down body systems that allow people and children to function normally on a day-to-day basis. Everyone who develops symptoms of MLD does not survive beyond a decade or two with the disease. Infants who develop symptoms are not expected to survive childhood. Up until now, the best offering to those with MLD were coping strategies to manage life with the disease. Lenmeldy, manufactured by Orchard Therapeutics, offers a glimmer of hope for a cure.  The catch? It costs $4.25 million.  To learn more about MLD, what Lenmeldy does to treat the disease, and why it’s the world’s most expensive medicine, read on.  Image Source: Pixabay What is Metachromiatic Leukodystrophy (MLD)? MLD is a genetic disease that stops the body from making arylsulfatase A (ARSA), an enzyme that helps break down lipid cells called …