Overview

This medicine is now known as darvadstrocel.

On 8 October 2009, orphan designation (EU/3/09/667) was granted by the European Commission to Cellerix S.A., Spain, for expanded human allogeneic mesenchymal adult stem cells extracted from adipose tissue for the treatment of anal fistula.

In February 2013, Cellerix S.A. changed name to TiGenix S.A.U.

Expanded human allogeneic mesenchymal adult stem cells extracted from adipose tissue has been authorised in the EU as Alofisel since 23 March 2018.

The sponsorship was transferred to Takeda Pharma A/S - Denmark in May 2018.

The sponsor’s address was updated in August 2020.

An anal fistula is an abnormal passageway that develops between the rectum (the lower part of the large intestine that stores faeces) and the outside of the body. This results in abnormal discharge of faeces through an opening other than the anus.

Anal fistulae are usually caused by an infection or an abscess (collection of pus) in the anus. They can also result from other diseases that cause long-term inflammation of the bowel. Patients with an anal fistula have constant pain, sometimes accompanied by swelling and irritation of skin around the anus, leakage of pus, diarrhoea and fever.

Anal fistula is a long-term debilitating disease because it can lead to incontinence (a lack of control over the opening of the bowels) and sepsis (blood infection).

At the time of designation, anal fistula affected approximately 2.3 in 10,000 people in the European Union (EU). This was equivalent to a total of around 116,000 people*, and is below the ceiling for orphan designation, which is 5 people in 10,000. 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. At the time of designation, this represented a population of 504,800,000 (Eurostat 2009).

At the time of designation, no satisfactory method were authorised in the EU for the treatment of anal fistula. Some anal fistulae heal without any specific treatment, but surgery is usually necessary. This involves stretching the gut tissue or cutting the sphincter muscles (the muscles that control the opening and closing of the anus), although this may cause problems such as incontinence.

This medicine is made up of 'mesenchymal stem cells' that are extracted from the adipose (fat) tissue of a donor. To make this medicine, the cells are isolated and cultivated using a technique called ex vivo expansion to increase their number. When these cells are injected into the walls of the fistula, they are expected to send signals that reduce the activity of the immune system and inflammation. Once the inflammation in the fistula has subsided, new tissue can start to grow, helping the fistula to heal.

The effects of expanded human allogeneic mesenchymal adult stem cells extracted from adipose tissue have been evaluated in experimental models.
At the time of submission of the application for orphan designation, clinical trials in patients with anal fistula were ongoing.

At the time of submission, this medicine was not authorised anywhere in the EU for anal fistula 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 8 July 2009 recommending the granting of this designation.

  • 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.

EU/3/09/667: Public summary of positive opinion for orphan designation of expanded human allogeneic mesenchymal adult stem cells extracted from adipose tissue for the treatment of anal fistula

AdoptedReference Number: EMA/COMP/472601/2009 Rev.1

English (EN) (124.21 KB - PDF)

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Key facts

Active substance
Expanded human allogeneic mesenchymal adult stem cells extracted from adipose tissue (darvadstrocel)
Intended use
Treatment of anal fistula
Orphan designation status
Positive
EU designation number
EU/3/09/667
Date of designation
Sponsor

Takeda Pharma A/S

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:

  • European Organisation for Rare Diseases (EURORDIS), a non-governmental alliance of patient organisations and individuals active in the field of rare diseases.

  • Orphanet, a database containing information on rare diseases, which includes a directory of patients’ organisations registered in Europe.

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:

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