EU/3/14/1363 - orphan designation for treatment of cystic fibrosis

4-[[(1S,4S)-5-[[4-[4-(oxazol-2-yl)phenoxy]phenyl]methyl]-2,5-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl]methyl]benzoic acid (acebilustat)

Overview

On 19 November 2014, orphan designation (EU/3/14/1363) was granted by the European Commission to Coté Orphan Consulting UK Limited, United Kingdom, for 4-[[(1S,4S)-5-[[4-[4-(oxazol-2-yl)phenoxy]phenyl]methyl]-2,5-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl]methyl]benzoic acid for the treatment of cystic fibrosis. 

This medicine is now known as acebilustat. 

The sponsorship was transferred to Quintiles Ireland Limited, Ireland, in March 2018.

In May 2018 the sponsor, Quintiles Ireland Limited changed name to IQVIA RDS Ireland Limited.

The sponsorship was transferred to FarmaStrateegia OÜ, Estonia in January 2019.

The sponsor’s address was updated in April 2020.

What is cystic fibrosis?

Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disease that affects the cells in the lungs, and the glands in the gut and pancreas, that secrete fluids such as mucus and digestive juices. In cystic fibrosis, these fluids become thick and viscous, blocking the airways and the flow of digestive juices. This leads to long-term infection and inflammation of the lungs because of excess mucus not being cleared away, and to problems with the digestion and absorption of food, resulting in poor growth.

Cystic fibrosis is caused by defects ('mutations') in a gene that makes a protein called 'cystic-fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator' (CFTR), which is involved in regulating the production of mucus and digestive juices.

Cystic fibrosis is a long-term debilitating and life-threatening disease because it severely damages the lung tissue, leading to problems with breathing and to recurrent chest infections.

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

At the time of designation, cystic fibrosis affected approximately 0.7 in 10,000 people in the European Union (EU). This was equivalent to a total of around 36,000 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 28), Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. At the time of designation, this represented a population of 512,900,000 (Eurostat 2014).

What treatments are available?

At the time of designation, lung infection in cystic fibrosis was mainly treated with antibiotics. Kalydeco (ivacaftor) was authorised to treat the subgroup of patients with cystic fibrosis who have certain mutations in the gene for the CFTR protein. Other medicines used to treat the lung disease included anti-inflammatory agents, bronchodilators (medicines that help to open up the airways in the lungs) and mucolytics (medicines that help dissolve the mucus in the lungs). In addition, patients with cystic fibrosis were often given other types of medicines such as pancreatic enzymes (substances that help to digest and absorb food) and food supplements. They were also advised to exercise and to undergo physiotherapy.

The sponsor has provided sufficient information to show that the medicine might be of significant benefit for patients with cystic fibrosis because it works in a different way to existing treatments and could potentially be used in combination with these treatments. These assumptions will need to be confirmed at the time of marketing authorisation, in order to maintain the orphan status.

How is this medicine expected to work?

The medicine is expected to block the leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4H) enzyme. This enzyme triggers the production of a substance called leukotriene B4. Leukotrienes are substances released by white blood cells as part of the inflammatory response in cystic fibrosis. By blocking the LTA4H enzyme and thereby the production of leukotriene B4, the medicine is expected to reduce or slow down the damage to the lung tissue caused by inflammation, thereby improving the symptoms of the disease.

What is the stage of development of this medicine?

The effects of the medicine have been evaluated in experimental models.

At the time of submission of the application for orphan designation, clinical trials with the medicine in patients with cystic fibrosis were ongoing.

At the time of submission, the medicine was not authorised anywhere in the EU for cystic fibrosis 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 9 October 2014 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/3/14/1363: Public summary of opinion on orphan designation: 4-[[(1S,4S)-5-[[4-[4-(oxazol-2-yl)phenoxy]phenyl]methyl]-2,5-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl]methyl]benzoic acid for the treatment of cystic fibrosis

Adopted Reference Number: EMA/COMP/653297/2014 Rev.1

Key facts

• Active substance:
  4-[[(1S,4S)-5-[[4-[4-(oxazol-2-yl)phenoxy]phenyl]methyl]-2,5-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl]methyl]benzoic acid (acebilustat)
• Intended use:
  Treatment of cystic fibrosis
• Orphan designation status:
  Positive
• EU designation number:
  EU/3/14/1363
• Date of designation:
  19/11/2014
• Sponsor:

  FarmaStrateegia OÜ; Narva Mnt 5; Kesklinna Linnaosa; Tallinn; Harju; 10117; Estonia; Tel. [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.