EU/3/12/960 - orphan designation for treatment of congenital hyperinsulinism

Glucagon

Overview

On 5 March 2012, orphan designation (EU/3/12/960) was granted by the European Commission to Biodel UK Limited, United Kingdom, for glucagon for the treatment of congenital hyperinsulinism.

What is congenital hyperinsulinism?

Congenital hyperinsulinism is an inherited disorder caused by high levels of insulin, a hormone that helps control blood glucose (sugar) levels. Insulin lowers blood glucose levels by driving glucose into the cells of the body. In hyperinsulinism, more insulin is produced than is needed which results in hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose levels). The severity of congenital hyperinsulinism varies among patients, with some patients already developing episodes of hypoglycaemia shortly after birth. Repeated episodes of hypoglycaemia increase the risk of serious complications such as seizures (fits), mental disability, breathing difficulties and coma.

Congenital hyperinsulinism is a long-term debilitating condition because of the effects of long-term hypoglycaemia on the brain, such as mental disability and seizures.

What is the estimated number of patients affected by the condition?

At the time of designation, congenital hyperinsulinism affected approximately 2 in 10,000 people in the European Union (EU)*. This is equivalent to a total of around 101,000 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).

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*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).

What treatments are available?

At the time of designation, there were no satisfactory methods of treatment in the EU for congenital hyperinsulinism. Products such as diazoxide and octreotide were used to reduce insulin secretion, and glucagon injections were used in emergency situations to release glucose from the liver and thereby increase blood glucose levels. However, these medicines were not authorised for use in the condition.

How is this medicine expected to work?

Glucagon is a hormone naturally secreted by the pancreas that counteracts the effects of insulin by raising blood glucose levels. This medicine is expected to be given to patients as a continuous infusion under the skin to help prevent hypoglycaemic episodes.

What is the stage of development of this medicine?

The effects of glucagon have been evaluated in experimental models.

At the time of submission of the application for orphan designation, no clinical trials with this medicine in patients with congenital hyperinsulinism had been started.

At the time of submission, this medicine was not authorised anywhere in the EU for congenital hyperinsulinism 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 11 January 2012 recommending the granting of this designation.

Opinions on orphan medicinal product designations are based on the following three criteria

• 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/3/12/960: Public summary of opinion on orphan designation: Glucagon for the treatment of congenital hyperinsulinism

AdoptedReference Number: EMA/COMP/61086/2012

Key facts

• Active substance:
  Glucagon
• Intended use:
  Treatment of congenital hyperinsulinism
• Orphan designation status:
  Positive
• EU designation number:
  EU/3/12/960
• Date of designation:
  05/03/2012
• Sponsor:

  Biodel UK Limited; 41 Chalton Street; London NW1 1JD; United Kingdom; Tel. [phone]; Fax [phone]; E-mail: [e-mail]

Review of designation

The Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products reviews the orphan designation of a product if it is approved for marketing authorisation.