EU/3/09/672

On 8 October 2009, orphan designation (EU/3/09/672) was granted by the European Commission to Celgene Europe Limited, United Kingdom, for pomalidomide for the treatment of multiple myeloma.

What is multiple myeloma?

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of a type of white blood cell called plasma cells. Plasma cells are found in the bone marrow, the spongy tissue inside the large bones in the body. In multiple myeloma, the division of plasma cells becomes out of control, resulting in abnormal, immature plasma cells multiplying and filling up the bone marrow. This interferes with production of normal white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets (components that help the blood to clot), leading to complications such as anaemia (low red blood cell counts), bone pain and fractures, raised blood calcium levels and kidney disease.

Multiple myeloma is a life-threatening disease that leads to poor long-term survival.

What is the estimated number of patients affected by the condition?

At the time of designation, multiple myeloma affected approximately 2.2 in 10,000 people in the European Union (EU)*. This is equivalent to a total of around 111,000 people, and is below the threshold for orphan designation, which is 5 people in 10,000. This is based on the information provided by the sponsor and knowledge of the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP).

*Disclaimer: For the purpose of the designation, the number of patients affected by the condition is estimated and assessed on the basis of data from the European Union (EU 27), Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. This represents a population of 504,800,000 (Eurostat 2009).

What treatments are available?

At the time of designation, several medicines were authorised for multiple myeloma in the EU. The main treatment for multiple myeloma was chemotherapy (medicines to treat cancer) usually combined with steroids to reduce the activity of the immune system, the body’s natural defences. Radiotherapy (treatment with radiation) was considered to be very useful in treating pain and weakened bones. Interferon alfa, a protein normally produced by the body during viral infections, was sometimes used in combination with chemotherapy.

The sponsor has provided sufficient information to show that pomalidomide might be of significant benefit for patients with multiple myeloma because it might be used in patients who do not respond to existing treatments. In addition, the medicine will be available as capsules, whereas some existing treatments need to be given by injection. These assumptions will need to be confirmed at the time of marketing authorisation, in order to maintain the orphan status.

How is this medicine expected to work?

Pomalidomide is an immunomodulating agent. This means that it affects the activity of the immune system. Pomalidomide is expected to work in a number of ways in multiple myeloma, in a similar way to other immunomodulating agents such as lenalidomide and thalidomide: it is expected to block the development of tumour cells, by preventing the growth of blood vessels within tumours and thereby reducing the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the cancer cells; it is also expected to stimulate some of the specialised cells of the immune system to attack the cancerous cells.

What is the stage of development of this medicine?

The effects of pomalidomide have been evaluated in experimental models.

At the time of submission of the application for orphan designation, clinical trials in patients with multiple myeloma were ongoing.

At the time of submission, pomalidomide was not authorised anywhere in the EU for multiple myeloma. Orphan designation of pomalidomide had been granted in the United States of America for this condition.

In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 141/2000 of 16 December 1999, the COMP adopted a positive opinion on 8 July 2009 recommending the granting of this designation.

Opinions on orphan medicinal product designations are based on the following three criteria

• the seriousness of the condition;
• the existence of alternative methods of diagnosis, prevention or treatment;
• either the rarity of the condition (affecting not more than 5 in 10,000 people in the Community) or insufficient returns on investment.

Designated orphan medicinal products are products that are still under investigation and are considered for orphan designation on the basis of potential activity. An orphan designation is not a marketing authorisation. As a consequence, demonstration of quality, safety and efficacy is necessary before a product can be granted a marketing authorisation.