EU/3/07/456 - orphan designation for treatment of cryopirin-associated periodic syndromes

Rilonacept

Overview

On 10 July 2007, orphan designation (EU/3/07/456) was granted by the European Commission to Regeneron UK Limited, United Kingdom, for rilonacept for the treatment of cryopirin-associated periodic syndromes (familial cold urticaria syndrome (FCUS), Muckle-Wells syndrome (MWS) and neonatal onset multisystem inflammatory disease (NOMID), also known as chronic infantile neurological cutaneous articular syndrome (CINCA)).

Rilonacept was authorised in the EU as Rilonacept Regeneron (previously Arcalyst) on 23 October 2009.

The marketing authorisation was withdrawn on 24 October 2012.

Please note that this product was withdrawn from the Community Register of designated orphan medicinal products by the European Commission in October 2012 at the time of withdrawal of the marketing authorisation.

What are cryopirin-associated periodic syndromes?

Cryopirin is a protein encoded by the CIASI/NAPL3 gene that is involved in the activation of a signalling compound called IL-1?. This compound is very important for the inflammatory process (the body's response to an infection). In patients affected by cryopirin-associated periodic syndromes, the CIASI/NAPL3 gene is defective, which leads to an excessive activity of the cryopirin protein and subsequently to an excessive signalling by IL-1?. Symptoms of the resulting systemic (covering the entire body) inflammation include periods of high fever, rash, headaches, fatigue and joint problems. In the long run the condition can cause further complications such as deafness. Cryopirin-associated periodic syndromes are chronically debilitating.

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

At the time of designation, cryopirin-associated periodic syndromes (Familial Cold Urticaria Syndrome (FCUS), Muckle-Wells Syndrome (MWS), and Neonatal Onset Multisystem Inflammatory Disease (NOMID), also known as Chronic Infantile Neurological Cutaneous Articular Syndrome (CINCA)) affected less than 0.05 in 10,000 people in the European Union (EU). This was equivalent to a total of fewer than 2,500 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 27), Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. At the time of designation, this represented a population of 500,300,000 (Eurostat 2007).

What treatments are available?

There are no medicinal products authorised for the treatment of the condition in the Community. Severe flares of the disease can sometimes be treated symptomatically with anti-inflammatory products.

How is this medicine expected to work?

Rilonacept is structurally similar to the IL-1? receptor (the protein that IL-1? interacts with and through which it signals). Rilonacept binds to IL-1? and thus inhibits it the harmful activity of IL-1?.

What is the stage of development of this medicine?

The effects of rilonacept have been evaluated in experimental models.

At the time of submission of the application for orphan designation, clinical trials in patients with cryopirin-associated periodic syndromes were ongoing.

Rilonacept was not authorised anywhere worldwide for the treatment of cryopirin-associated periodic syndromes nor designated as orphan medicinal product elsewhere for this condition, at the time of submission.

In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 141/2000 of 16 December 1999, the COMP adopted a positive opinion on 31 May 2007 recommending the granting of this designation.

Update: Rilonacept (Rilonacept Regeneron, previously Arcalyst) has been authorised in the EU since 23 October 2009 for the treatment of Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS) with severe symptoms, including Familial Cold Autoinflammatory Syndrome (FCAS) and Muckle-Wells Syndrome (MWS), in adults and children aged 12 years and older.

Opinions on orphan medicinal products designations are based on the following cumulative 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 still investigational products which were 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.

EU/3/07/456: Public summary of positive opinion for orphan designation of rilonacept for the treatment of cryopirin-associated periodic syndromes (Familial Cold Urticaria Syndrome (FCUS), Muckle-Wells Syndrome (MWS), and...

AdoptedReference Number: EMEA/COMP/170868/2008 Rev.2

Key facts

• Active substance:
  Rilonacept
• Medicine name:
  Rilonacept Regeneron
• Intended use:
  Treatment of cryopirin-associated periodic syndromes
• Orphan designation status:
  Withdrawn
• EU designation number:
  EU/3/07/456
• Date of designation:
  10/07/2007
• Sponsor:

  Regeneron UK Limited;