EU/3/12/1072 - orphan designation for treatment of macular telangiectasia type 2
Encapsulated human retinal pigment epithelial cell line transfected with plasmid vector expressing human ciliary neurotropic factor
OrphanHuman
Overview
On 8 November 2012, orphan designation (EU/3/12/1072) was granted by the European Commission to Enpharma Ltd, United Kingdom, for encapsulated human retinal pigment epithelial cell line transfected with plasmid vector expressing human ciliary neurotropic factor for the treatment of macular telangiectasia type 2.
The sponsorship was transferred to Le4D Limited, United Kingdom, in March 2018.
The sponsorship was transferred to Le4d Global Regulatory Science Limited, Ireland, in November 2019.
The sponsor’s address was updated in April 2022.
Macular telangiectasia type 2 is a disease that leads to the progressive loss of sight in both eyes.
The disease usually does not cause symptoms in its earliest stage and is often not diagnosed until the fifth or sixth decades of life, when the patient begins to experience loss of vision. Although the origin of the disease is unknown, the disease is characterised by damage in the nerve cells in the macula (the central part of the retina, the light-sensitive surface at the back of the eye).
Macular telangiectasia type 2 is a long-term debilitating disease because it causes loss of vision.
At the time of designation, macular telangiectasia type 2 affected less than 2.3 in 10,000 people in the European Union (EU)*.
This is equivalent to a total of fewer than 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. This represents a population of 506,300,000 (Eurostat 2011).
No satisfactory methods of treatment were authorised in the EU at the time of orphan designation.
The medicine consists of human retinal cells that have been genetically modified to produce a human growth factor called ciliairy neurotrophic factor (CNTF). The cells are contained in a small capsule that is surgically inserted into the eye.
Once implanted into the eye, the retinal cells are expected to continuously produce and release CNTF, which stimulates and protects nerve cells such as specialised 'photoreceptor' cells responsible for detecting light in the retina of the eye. This is expected to prevent the loss of vision seen in macular telangiectasia type 2.
The effects of the medicinal product have been evaluated in experimental models.
At the time of submission of the application for orphan designation, clinical trials with the medicinal product in patients with macular telangiectasia type 2 were ongoing.
At the time of submission, the medicinal product was not authorised anywhere in the EU for macular telangiectasia type 2. Orphan designation has been granted in the United States of America for this condition.
In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 141/2000 of 16 December 1999, the COMP adopted a positive opinion on 5 October 2012 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
- Encapsulated human retinal pigment epithelial cell line transfected with plasmid vector expressing human ciliary neurotropic factor
- Intended use
- Treatment of macular telangiectasia type 2
- Orphan designation status
- Positive
- EU designation number
- EU/3/12/1072
- Date of designation
- Sponsor
Le4d Global Regulatory Science Limited
1st Floor, Penrose 1
Penrose Dock
Cork T23 KW81
Co. Cork
Ireland
Tel: +353 (87) 7460985
E-mail: zubair.le4d@hotmail.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:
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: