First UVA Health multiple sclerosis patient receives new treatment

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — It’s been one week since Wanda Lee-Ballou received University of Virginia (UVA) Health’s first dose of Ocravus Zunovo – the first and only twice-a-year 10-minute subcutaneous injection aimed to treat relapsing and progressive multiple sclerosis (M.S.).

This new method offers a more convenient and efficient alternative to the traditional vein infusion of Ocrevus, reducing treatment time.

“I was nervous. I was scared because it was a new medication, that was the only thing,” said Lee-Ballou. “No side effects at all.”

Lee-Ballous is a wife, mother, and school bus driver for Campbell County Public Schools.

“I drive a combined bus, which is pre-k to 12th grade. So i just love being with the children,” said Lee-Ballou.

She was diagnosed with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis in 2010, just before her 40th birthday.

“I woke up one morning and I was not able to walk,” she said. “And my muscles just felt tight.”

An MRI and a series of blood work found lesions on her brain and spine.

“I wasn’t shocked because my sister had been diagnosed earlier, a few years earlier, with M.S., so I kind of knew.”

Wanda was taking Copaxone to treat her M.S. until Oct. 11. That medication is a self-injection taken five times a week, which she said was inconvenient.

“I’m happy, you know, because I don’t have to remember to do it before bedtime, because sometimes I’ll get into bed and be like, ‘”‘Oh, crap, I’ve got to get up. I’ve got to get up and do an injection.'”

Lee-Ballou was initially denied twice by her insurance provider for Ocravus Zunovo. That’s when Genentech, the company that manufactures the medication, stepped in to help and provided it to her for free.

“My hopes are that the the lesions will stop, that some of my joint pain will subside,” said Lee-Ballou. “Just a little better quality of life.”

As the availability of Ocrevus Zunuvo continues to increase across the country, Josh Weber, UVA Health’s director of specialty and home pharmacy services, said the rollout could take up to three months.

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