Overview

This medicine is now known as voretigene neparvovec.

On 2 April 2012, orphan designation (EU/3/12/981) was granted by the European Commission to Alan Boyd Consultants Ltd, United Kingdom, for adenovirus-associated viral vector serotype 2 containing the human RPE65 gene for the treatment of Leber's congenital amaurosis.

The sponsorship was transferred to Spark Therapeutics Ireland Ltd, in March 2017.

Adenovirus-associated viral vector serotype 2 containing the human RPE65 gene in the amended indication treatment of inherited retinal dystrophies has been authorised in the EU as Luxturna since 22 November 2018.

The sponsorship was transferred to Novartis Europharm Limited, Ireland, in February 2019.

Leber's congenital amaurosis is an inherited disease characterised by loss of sight at birth or soon after birth. The disease is linked to a number of genetic defects, which affect the normal development of the light-sensitive cells in the eye.

Leber's congenital amaurosis is a long-term debilitating disease due to progressive loss of vision.

At the time of designation, Leber's congenital amaurosis affected less than 1 in 10,000 people in the European Union (EU)*. This is equivalent to a total of fewer than 51,000 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).

At the time of submission of the application for orphan designation, no satisfactory methods were authorised in the EU for treating Leber's congenital amaurosis. Patients with Leber's congenital amaurosis usually received genetic counselling on the risks of passing the condition on to their children, and regular medical follow up.

One form of Leber's congenital amaurosis, Leber's congenital amaurosis type 2, is caused by a defect in the gene RPE65, which is responsible for the production of the RPE65 protein. This protein has a key role in the correct functioning of the light-sensitive cells of the eye.

This medicine is made of a virus that contains normal copies of the RPE65 gene. When injected into the patient's eye, it is expected that the virus will carry the RPE65 gene into the light-sensitive cells of the eye, enabling the cells to develop normally and thereby helping to improve the patient's sight.

The type of virus used in this medicine ('adeno-associated virus') does not cause disease in humans.

The effects of adenovirus-associated viral vector serotype 2 containing the human RPE65 gene have been evaluated in experimental models.

At the time of submission of the application for orphan designation, clinical trials with this medicine in patients with Leber's congenital amaurosis were ongoing.

At the time of submission, this medicine was not authorised anywhere in the EU for Leber's congenital amaurosis. Orphan designation of the medicine had been granted in the United States of America for Leber congenital amaurosis due to RPE65 mutations.

In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 141/2000 of 16 December 1999, the COMP adopted a positive opinion on 8 February 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.

EU/3/12/981: Public summary of opinion on orphan designation: Adenovirus-associated viral vector serotype 2 containing the human RPE65 gene for the treatment of Leber’s congenital amaurosis

AdoptedReference Number: EMA/COMP/142986/2012

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Key facts

Active substance
Adenovirus-associated viral vector serotype 2 containing the human RPE65 gene (voretigene neparvovec)
Medicine name
Luxturna
Intended use
Treatment of Leber's congenital amaurosis
Orphan designation status
Positive
EU designation number
EU/3/12/981
Date of designation
Sponsor

Novartis Europharm Limited

Review of designation

The Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products reviewed the orphan designation of Luxturna at the time of marketing authorisation, and confirmed that the orphan designation should be maintained.

More information is available in the Luxturna : Orphan maintenance assessment report (initial 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:

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