EU/3/08/607 - orphan designation for treatment of systemic sclerosis

type I native bovine skin collagen

Overview

On 9 February 2009, orphan designation (EU/3/08/607) was granted by the European Commission to arGentis Autoimmune Europe Limited, United Kingdom, for type I native bovine skin collagen for the treatment of systemic sclerosis.

What is systemic sclerosis?

Systemic sclerosis is a complex disease in which the immune system (the body's natural defences) is overactivated, causing inflammation and overproduction of various proteins, particularly collagen. The reason why the immune system is activated is not known. Collagen is an important component of connective tissue (the tissue that supports the skin and internal organs).

The overproduction of collagen leads to abnormal growth of connective tissue, causing the skin to become thick and hard. It also damages the tissues around the blood vessels of the internal organs, such as the heart, lungs and kidneys. This makes it more difficult for the blood to move through the vessels, causing tissue damage, circulation problems and high blood pressure. The high collagen levels can also stimulate the body's immune system to attack the collagen, increasing the inflammation in the body.

Systemic sclerosis is a debilitating disease that is long lasting and may be life threatening because of its effects on the heart, lungs and kidneys.

What treatments are available?

At the time of designation, there were no treatments for systemic sclerosis that could stop the build-up of collagen. Treatments authorised in the EU were aimed at relieving the symptoms of the disease and limiting the damage it causes. Several medicines were used to reduce inflammation.

The sponsor has provided sufficient information to show that type I native bovine skin collagen might be of potential significant benefit for the treatment of systemic sclerosis because it might work in a different way to existing medicines and cause fewer side effects. This assumption will need to be confirmed at the time of marketing authorisation, in order to maintain the orphan status.

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

At the time of designation, systemic sclerosis affected not more than 3.5 in 10,000 people in the European Union (EU)*. This is below the threshold for orphan designation, which is 5 in 10,000, and is equivalent to a total of not more than 176,000 people. This is based on the information provided by the sponsor and the 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 502,282,000 (Eurostat 2008).

How is this medicine expected to work?

Type I native bovine skin collagen is thought to work by stimulating 'oral tolerance'. Oral tolerance is a way to 'teach' the immune system not to react against an antigen (a specific structure that the body recognises as 'foreign'). It involves giving the patient a particular antigen by mouth.

Type I native bovine skin collagen is a type of collagen that is extracted from cow skin. In patients with systemic sclerosis, ingestion of this protein by mouth is expected to teach the immune system not to react to the collagen that is produced in the body. This is expected to reduce the inflammation caused by the patient's own collagen production, reducing the symptoms of the disease.

What is the stage of development of this medicine?

The effects of type I native bovine skin collagen have been evaluated in experimental models.

At the time of submission of the application for orphan designation, clinical trials in patients with systemic sclerosis had been completed and additional trials had been planned.

Type I native bovine skin collagen was not authorised anywhere in the world for the treatment of systemic sclerosis at the time of submission. Orphan designation of type I native skin collagen had been granted in the United States of America for the treatment of diffuse systemic sclerosis.

In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 141/2000 of 16 December 1999, the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP) adopted a positive opinion on 10 December 2008 recommending the granting of this designation.

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

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

Designated orphan medicinal are products that are still under investigation and are considered for 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 marketing authorisation.

EU/3/08/607: Public summary of positive opinion for orphan designation of type I native bovine skin collagen for treatment of systemic sclerosis

Adopted Reference Number: EMEA/COMP/541000/2008

Key facts

• Active substance:
  type I native bovine skin collagen
• Intended use:
  Treatment of systemic sclerosis
• Orphan designation status:
  Positive
• EU designation number:
  EU/3/08/607
• Date of designation:
  09/02/2009
• Sponsor:

  arGentis Autoimmune Europe Limited; 179 Portland Street; London W1W5LS; United Kingdom; Telephone: [phone]; Telefax: [phone]; E-mail: [e-mail]