EU/3/08/582 - orphan designation for treatment of mucopolysaccharidosis, type IIIA (Sanfilippo A syndrome)

recombinant human heparan-N-sulfatase

Overview

On 7 November 2008, orphan designation (EU/3/08/582) was granted by the European Commission to Shire Pharmaceutical Development Limited, United Kingdom, for recombinant human heparan-N-sulfatase for the treatment of mucopolysaccharidosis III, type A (Sanfilippo A syndrome).

The sponsorship was transferred to Shire Pharmaceuticals Ireland Limited, Ireland, in September 2018.

Please note that this product was withdrawn from the Union Register of orphan medicinal products in September 2021 upon request of the Sponsor.

What is mucopolysaccharidosis III, type A (Sanfilippo A syndrome)?

The mucopolysaccharidoses are a group of rare, inherited lysosomal storage disorders caused by the deficiency or absence of specific lysosomal enzymes. The absence of these enzymes (molecule that speeds up chemical reactions in the body) results in the accumulation of complex sugar molecules in the cells and tissues, and in cellular organelles, called lysosomes. In the presence of normal lysosomal enzymes these sugars would be transformed into other substances and used by the body. These complex sugars are known as mucopolysaccharides or glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and serve as the building blocks for connective tissues in the body. Patients affected by mucopolysaccharidosis III, type A have mutations in the gene coding for heparan-N-sulfatase, resulting in a deficiency or absence of this enzyme. Thus one type of GAG called heparan sulphate is not degraded as it should and accumulates.

MPS III, or Sanfilippo syndrome results from the lack of four different enzymes necessary to degrade the GAG. Each enzyme deficiency defines a different form of Sanfilippo syndrome: type IIIA (Sanfilippo A), type IIIB (Sanfilippo B), type IIIC (Sanfilippo C), and type IIID (Sanfilippo D).

Symptoms of MPS IIIA (Sanfilippo A) usually arise between 2 to 6 years of age, although in some cases diagnosis is made as late as at 13 years of age. The clinical symptoms of the condition present different degrees of severity. The central nervous system is the most severely affected system in patients with MPS IIIA. Problems in language development, motor skills, and intellectual development characterise the condition. In addition, there is hyperactivity (excess motor activity) that contributes to disturbances in sleep. Overall, individuals with MPS IIIA have a marked developmental delay and the long-term survival is poor. The condition is chronically debilitating and life-threatening.

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

At the time of designation mucopolysaccharidosis III, type A (Sanfilippo A syndrome) affected approximately 0.03 in 10,000 people in the European Union (EU) *. This is based on the information provided by the sponsor and knowledge of the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP). This is below the threshold for orphan designation which is 5 in 10,000. This is equivalent to a total of around 1,500 people.

*Disclaimer: For the purpose of the designation, the number of patients affected by the condition is estimated and assessed based on data from the European Union (EU 27), Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein. This represents a population of 502,282,000 (Eurostat 2008).

What are the methods of treatment available?

There are no authorised products for the condition in the Community. Bone marrow transplant has been used in an attempt to slow disease progression.

How is this medicine expected to work?

Patients affected by mucopolysaccharidosis IIIA have genetic mutations that result in a deficiency or absence of the enzyme heparan-N-sulphatase. This medicinal product is an enzyme identical to the normal human heparan-N-sulfatase synthesized in the laboratory using a method called recombinant DNA technology. The product does not carry the mutations/alterations that cause the condition and it is expected to replace the non-functional heparan-N-sulphatase and degrade the GAG heparan sulfate that has accumulated, thus decreasing the symptoms of Sanfilippo A.

What is the stage of development of this medicine?

The evaluation of the effects of recombinant human heparan-N-sulfatase in experimental models was ongoing.

At the time of submission of the application for orphan designation, no clinical trials in patients with Mucopolysaccharidosis, type III A (Sanfilippo A syndrome) were initiated.

The product was not authorised in any country inside or outside the EU at the time of submission of the application.

In the United States orphan drug status was granted on 22 May 2008 for treatment of Sanfilippo syndrome.

According to Regulation (EC) No 141/2000 of 16 December 1999, the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP) adopted on 10 September 2008 a positive opinion recommending the grant of the above-mentioned designation.

Opinions on orphan medicinal products designations are based on the following cumulative criteria:

• the seriousness of the condition,
• the existence or not of alternative methods of diagnosis, prevention or treatment and
• 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 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/3/08/582: Public summary of positive opinion for orphan designation of recombinant human heparan-N-sulfatase for the treatment of mucopolysaccharidosis III, type A (Sanfilippo A syndrome)

AdoptedReference Number: EMEA/COMP/488980/2008

Key facts

• Active substance:
  recombinant human heparan-N-sulfatase
• Intended use:
  Treatment of mucopolysaccharidosis, type IIIA (Sanfilippo A syndrome)
• Orphan designation status:
  Withdrawn
• EU designation number:
  EU/3/08/582
• Date of designation:
  07/11/2008
• Sponsor:

  Shire Pharmaceuticals Ireland Limited; Block 2 & 3 Miesian Plaza; 50-58 Baggot Street Lower; Dublin 2, D02 Y754; Ireland; Tel. + 353 1 429 7700; E-mail: [e-mail]