EU/3/09/697 - orphan designation for treatment of naevoid basal-cell carcinoma syndrome (Gorlin syndrome)
N-[6-(cis-2,6-dimethylmorpholin-4-yl)pyridine-3-yl]-2-methyl-4'-(trifluoromethoxy)[1,1'-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide
OrphanHuman
Overview
Please note that this product was withdrawn from the Community register of designated orphan medicinal products in January 2013 on request of the sponsor.
On 25 November 2009, orphan designation (EU/3/09/697) was granted by the European Commission to Novartis Europharm Limited, United Kingdom, for N-[6-(cis-2,6-dimethylmorpholin-4-yl)pyridine-3-yl]-2-methyl-4'-(trifluoromethoxy)[1,1'-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide for the treatment of naevoid basal-cell carcinoma syndrome (Gorlin syndrome).
For a list of the administrative updates to this public summary of opinion please refer to the PDF document below.
Naevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (also known as Gorlin syndrome) is a hereditary genetic disease that affects mostly the skin and the connective tissue (the tissue that supports the skin and internal organs). Gorlin syndrome is caused by an abnormality in a chromosome, chromosome 9. As a result, cells start to grow uncontrollably and form tumours.
Patients with Gorlin syndrome have a predisposition for basal-cell carcinomas (a slow-growing type of skin cancer), which often develop early in life. Other symptoms are skin problems, including cysts on the jaw, and bone abnormalities.
Gorlin syndrome is a long-term debilitating disease because of the development of a large number of basal-cell carcinomas leading to different types of deformities.
At the time of designation, Gorlin syndrome affected less than 0.2 in 10,000 people in the European Union (EU). This was equivalent to a total of fewer than 10,000 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 time of designation, basal-cell carcinoma in Gorlin syndrome was mainly treated with surgery. Other treatments included topical chemotherapy (medicines to treat cancer given locally, on the skin) and photodynamic therapy. This is a method of treatment that uses light to activate a 'photosensitising' agent, which becomes toxic when exposed to light. In addition, patients with Gorlin syndrome were given genetic counselling and general support.
The sponsor has provided sufficient information to show that N-[6-(cis-2,6-dimethylmorpholin-4-yl)pyridine-3-yl]-2-methyl-4'-(trifluoromethoxy)[1,1'-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide might be of significant benefit for patients with Gorlin syndrome because it has a new mode of action and early studies in experimental models indicate that it might improve the overall outcome of patients with Gorlin syndrome. In addition, it may contribute to patients' quality of life by reducing the need for surgery.
The medicine will be available as a cream.
These assumptions will need to be confirmed at the time of marketing authorisation, in order to maintain the orphan status.
In patients with Gorlin syndrome, the abnormality in chromosome 9 causes a protein called PTCH1 to lose control over another protein, called SMO. As a consequence, SMO becomes too active in the body. SMO is one of the proteins that control cell growth and division. N-[6-(cis-2,6-dimethylmorpholin-4-yl)pyridine-3-yl]-2-methyl-4'-(trifluoromethoxy)[1,1'-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide is expected to work by blocking SMO. This is expected to control cell growth and division and prevent the formation of basal-cell carcinomas in patients with this disease.
The effects of N-[6-(cis-2,6-dimethylmorpholin-4-yl)pyridine-3-yl]-2-methyl-4'-(trifluoromethoxy)[1,1'-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide have been evaluated in experimental models.
At the time of orphan designation, clinical trials with the designated product in patients with Gorlin syndrome were ongoing.
At the time of submission for orphan designation, this medicine was not authorised anywhere in the EU for Gorlin syndrome 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 7 October 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 Community) 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.
Key facts
- Active substance
- N-[6-(cis-2,6-dimethylmorpholin-4-yl)pyridine-3-yl]-2-methyl-4'-(trifluoromethoxy)[1,1'-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide
- Intended use
- Treatment of naevoid basal-cell carcinoma syndrome (Gorlin syndrome)
- Orphan designation status
- Withdrawn
- EU designation number
- EU/3/09/697
- Date of designation
- Sponsor
Novartis Europharm Limited
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: