EU/3/10/828 - orphan designation for prevention of recurrent hepatitis C in liver transplant recipients
Silibinin-C-2',3-dihydrogensuccinate, disodium salt
OrphanHuman
Overview
On 17 December 2010, orphan designation (EU/3/10/828) was granted by the European Commission to Rottapharm S.p.A., Italy, for silibinin-C-2',3-dihydrogensuccinate, disodium salt for the prevention of recurrent hepatitis C in liver transplant recipients.
Hepatitis C is an infection of the liver due to the hepatitis C virus. Patients with chronic (long-term) infection are at risk of liver damage and may develop serious liver diseases such as cirrhosis (liver scarring) and liver cancer, which require liver transplantation. However, because the hepatitis C virus remains in the body, the transplanted liver is also at risk of becoming infected, and therefore of developing cirrhosis and cancer.
Recurrent (repeated) hepatitis C in liver transplant recipients is a debilitating and life-threatening condition because of the serious complications that can develop in the transplanted liver.
At the time of designation, the number of liver transplant recipients at risk of developing recurrent hepatitis C was estimated to be less than 1 people in 10,000 in the European Union (EU)*. This is equivalent to a total of fewer than 51,000 people, which 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. This represents a population of 506,500,000 (Eurostat 2010).
At the time of designation, there were no satisfactory treatments authorised for the prevention of recurrent hepatitis C in liver transplant recipients. Patients at risk were treated using the 'standard of care' for hepatitis C (pegylated interferon and ribavirin).
Silibinin-C-2',3-dihydrogensuccinate, disodium salt is made from a substance extracted from milk thistle fruits. It has been used since the mid-1980s as an antidote to poisoning with the fungus Amanita phalloides.
In the prevention of hepatitis C recurrence in liver transplant recipients, it is expected to work as an antiviral medicine by stopping the hepatitis C virus from multiplying. When given at the time of liver transplantation, this is expected to rid the body of the virus, therefore preventing the transplanted liver from becoming infected at a later date.
The effects of silibinin-C-2',3-dihydrogensuccinate, disodium salt have been evaluated in experimental models.
At the time of submission of the application for orphan designation, clinical trials with the medicine in liver transplant recipients at risk of developing recurrent hepatitis C were ongoing.
At the time of submission, the medicine was authorised in 15 countries in the EU for the treatment of liver intoxication due to Amanita phalloides under the trade name Legalon SIL. The medicine was not authorised anywhere in the EU for the prevention of recurrent hepatitis C in liver transplant recipients nor 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 2010 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.
Key facts
- Active substance
- Silibinin-C-2',3-dihydrogensuccinate, disodium salt
- Intended use
- Prevention of recurrent hepatitis C in liver transplant recipients
- Orphan designation status
- Positive
- EU designation number
- EU/3/10/828
- Date of designation
- Sponsor
Rottapharm S.p.A
Galleria Unione, 5
20122 Milan
ItalyPostal Address:
Rottapharm S.p.A.
Via Valosa di Sopra, 9
20900 Monza (MB)
Italy
Telephone: +39 039 73 90 256
Telefax: +39 039 73 90 269
E-mail: Lucio.Rovati@rottapharm.com
Review of designation
The Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products reviews the orphan designation of a product if it is approved for marketing authorisation.
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: