EU/3/15/1548

On 9 October 2015, orphan designation (EU/3/15/1548) was granted by the European Commission to MicroPharm Limited, United Kingdom, for ovine specific immunoglobulin (Fab) fragments raised against Vipera berus venom for the treatment of snakebite envenomation.

What is snakebite envenomation?

Snakebite envenomation is poisoning from the bite of a snake. Symptoms depend on the species of snake, where it bites on the body and the amount of poison entering the body.

Vipera berus (common adder) is the most widespread poisonous snake in Western Europe. Symptoms of poisoning from an adder bite usually include local swelling and pain, feeling sick, fainting, and difficulty swallowing or breathing.

Snakebite envenomation is a debilitating condition that can be life-threatening because it may lead to failure of multiple organs.

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

At the time of designation, snakebite envenomation affected less than 0.5 in 10,000 people in the European Union (EU). This was equivalent to a total of fewer than 26,000 people*, and is below the ceiling for orphan designation, which is 5 people in 10,000. This isbased on the information provided by the sponsor and the knowledge of the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP).

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*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 28), Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. This represents a population of 512,900,000 (Eurostat 2015).

What treatments are available?

Treatment of snakebite envenomation is usually guided by the species of snake and the severity of the symptoms. Less severe poisoning can be treated with first-aid measures such as applying pressure to the wound (to prevent the poison reaching vital organs), while for more severe bites, antivenom is the only effective treatment. At the time of designation, several antivenom medicines were authorised for the condition in EU some countries.

The sponsor has provided sufficient information to show that the medicine might be of significant benefit for patients affected by snakebite envenomation because early studies in experimental models indicate that it might be more effective than existing treatments. This assumption 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?

This medicine is made of antibody fragments. Antibodies are proteins that attach to a specific target in the body and can help to fight infections and other diseases. The antibody fragments in the medicine are expected to attach to the venom of Vipera berus and neutralise its effects.

What is the stage of development of this medicine?

The effects of the medicine have been evaluated in experimental models.

At the time of submission of the application for orphan designation, no clinical trials with the medicine in patients with snakebite envenomation had been started by the sponsor.

At the time of submission, the medicine was not authorised anywhere in the EU for snakebite envenomation or designated as an orphan medicinal product elsewhere for this condition.

In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 141/2000 of 16 December 1999, the COMP adopted a positive opinion on 3 September 2015 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 EU) 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.

The Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products reviews the orphan designation of a product if it is approved for marketing authorisation.