EU/3/09/699 - orphan designation for treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Recombinant chimeric monoclonal antibody against CD20 (ublituximab)
OrphanHuman
Overview
On 26 November 2009, orphan designation (EU/3/09/699) was granted by the European Commission to LFB-Biotechnologies, France, for recombinant chimeric monoclonal antibody against CD20 for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is cancer of a type of white blood cell called B-lymphocytes. In this disease, the lymphocytes multiply too quickly and live for too long, so that there are too many of them circulating in the blood. The cancerous lymphocytes look normal, but they are not fully developed and do not work properly. Over a period of time, the abnormal cells replace the normal white cells, red cells and platelets (components that help the blood to clot) in the bone marrow (the spongy tissue inside the large bones in the body).
CLL is the most common type of leukaemia and mainly affects older people. It is rare in people under the age of 40 years. CLL is a long-term debilitating and life-threatening disease because some patients develop severe infections.
At the time of designation, CLL affected approximately 3.5 in 10,000 people in the European Union (EU)*. This is equivalent to a total of 177,000 people, and is below the threshold for orphan designation, which is 5 people in 10,000. This is based on the information provided by the sponsor and 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 504,800,000 (Eurostat 2009).
Treatment for CLL is complex, and depends on a number of factors, including the extent of the disease, whether it has been treated before, and the patient's age, symptoms and general state of health. Patients whose CLL is not causing any symptoms or is only getting worse very slowly may not need treatment. Treatment for CLL is only started if symptoms become troublesome. At the time of designation, the main treatment for CLL was chemotherapy (medicines to treat cancer).
The sponsor has provided sufficient information to show that recombinant chimeric monoclonal antibody against CD20 might be of significant benefit for patients with CLL because early studies in experimental models indicate that it might improve the treatment of patients with this condition. This assumption will need to be confirmed at the time of marketing authorisation, in order to maintain the orphan status.
Recombinant chimeric monoclonal antibody against CD20 is a monoclonal antibody (a type of protein) that has been designed to recognise and attach to a specific structure (an antigen) called CD20. This is a receptor that is found on the surface of all B-lymphocytes. When this medicine binds CD20, this is expected to cause cell death. This is expected to help in CLL by destroying the cancerous B-lymphocytes.
The effects of recombinant chimeric monoclonal antibody against CD20 have been evaluated in experimental models.
At the time of submission of the application for orphan designation, clinical trials with the designated product in patients with CLL were ongoing.
At the time of submission, recombinant chimeric monoclonal antibody against CD20 was not authorised anywhere in the EU for CLL or designated as 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
- Recombinant chimeric monoclonal antibody against CD20 (ublituximab)
- Intended use
- Treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
- Orphan designation status
- Positive
- EU designation number
- EU/3/09/699
- Date of designation
- Sponsor
Propharma Group The Netherlands B.V.
Review of designation
This medicine is now known as ublituximab.
Update history
| Date | Update |
|---|---|
| November 2022 | The sponsorship was transferred from CambPharma Solutions (CY) Limited, Cyprus to Propharma Group The Netherlands B.V.. |
| May 2020 | The sponsor's address was updated. |
| July 2019 | The sponsorship was transferred to CambPharma Solutions (CY) Limited, Cyprus. |
| May 2018 | The sponsorship was transferred to Cambridge Regulatory Services Ltd. |
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: