EU/3/02/110 - orphan designation for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma
thymalfasin
OrphanHuman
Overview
On 30 July 2002, orphan designation (EU/3/02/110) was granted by the European Commission to SciClone Pharmaceuticals Italy S.r.l., Italy, for thymalfasin for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Tumours that begin in the liver are known as liver tumours. Liver tumours which have the potential to grow rapidly and infiltrate healthy tissues are called hepatocellular carcinomas. Hepatocellular carcinoma is a life-threatening condition.
No medicinal products for the treatment of the condition had been authorised in the European Union at the time of submission of the application for orphan drug designation.
According to the information provided by the sponsor, hepatocellular carcinoma was considered to affect about 37,500 persons in the European Union.
Thymalfasin is a small protein. It was originally isolated from the thymus gland of cattle. Currently, this protein is produced by a process of chemical reactions. Thymalfasin acts on the immune system. This may increase the ability of immune cells called T-lymphocytes to kill tumour cells.
At the time of submission of the application for orphan designation, clinical trials in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were ongoing.
In the European Union thymalfasin is authorised in Italy, where it is used to enhance the immune response stimulated by the influenza virus vaccine.
The sponsor has been granted orphan drug status for thymalfasin in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in the United States.
According to Regulation (EC) No 141/2000 of 16 December 1999, the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP) adopted on 27 June 2002 a positive opinion recommending the grant of the above-mentioned designation.
(i) the seriousness of the condition, (ii) the existence or not of alternative methods of diagnosis, prevention or treatment and (iii) either the rarity of the condition (considered to affect not more than five in ten thousand persons in the Community) or the insufficient return of development investments.
Designated orphan medicinal products are still investigational products which have been considered for designation on the basis of potential activity. An orphan designation is not a marketing authorisation. As a consequence, demonstration of the quality, safety and efficacy will be necessary before this product can be granted a marketing authorisation.
Key facts
- Active substance
- thymalfasin
- Intended use
- Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma
- Orphan designation status
- Positive
- EU designation number
- EU/3/02/110
- Date of designation
- Sponsor
SciClone Pharmaceutical, Inc.
901 Mariner's Island Boulevard
Suite 205
San Mateo, CA 94404
USA
EMA list of opinions on orphan medicinal product designation
EMA publishes information on orphan medicinal product designation adopted by the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP) on the IRIS online platform:
Patients' organisations
For contact details of patients’ organisations whose activities are targeted at rare diseases, see:
Orphanet, a database containing information on rare diseases, which includes a directory of patients’ organisations registered in Europe.
European Organisation for Rare Diseases (EURORDIS), a non-governmental alliance of patient organisations and individuals active in the field of rare diseases.
EU register of orphan medicines
The list of medicines that have received an orphan designation in the EU is available on the European Commission's website: