This medicine is now known as avacopan.
On 19 November 2014, orphan designation (EU/3/14/1372) was granted by the European Commission to ChemoCentryx Limited, United Kingdom, for (2R,3S)-2-(4-cyclopentylaminophenyl)-1-(2-fluoro-6-methylbenzoyl)piperidine-3-carboxylic acid(4-methyl-3-trifluoromethylphenyl)amide for the treatment of microscopic polyangiitis.
The sponsorship was transferred to Chemocentryx Ireland Limited, Ireland, in February 2019.
The sponsorship was transferred to Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma France in October 2020.
Avacopan has been authorised in the EU as Tavneos since 11 January 2022
Microscopic polyangiitis is a type of inflammation of small to medium-sized arteries and veins. Often the small blood vessels (capillaries) of the lungs and kidneys are affected, which causes breathing problems and reduced kidney function or kidney failure. Other symptoms of the disease include fever, skin rash, muscle and joint pain. Although its causes are not well understood, microscopic polyangiitis is an auto-immune disease, a disease which is caused by the body's immune system attacking normal tissue and which causes inflammation.
Microscopic polyangiitis is a long-term debilitating and life-threatening condition due to the damage to the kidneys and lungs which may cause kidney and respiratory failure.
At the time of designation microscopic polyangiitis affected not more than 1 in 10,000 people in the European Union (EU). This was equivalent to a total of not more 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 28), Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. This represents a population of 511,100,000 (Eurostat 2014).
At the time of designation, the medicine rituximab, in combination with corticosteroids, was authorised for microscopic polyangiitis in the EU. Several other medicines, including cyclophosphamide with corticosteroids, were also used. Patients with severely impaired kidney function might be given plasmapheresis (a process similar to kidney dialysis in which the liquid part of the blood, or plasma, is separated from the cells in order to remove antibodies).
The sponsor has provided sufficient information to show that the medicine might be of significant benefit for patients with microscopic polyangiitis because early studies show that it could improve kidney function in patients with the condition. This assumption will need to be confirmed at the time of marketing authorisation, in order to maintain the orphan status.
This medicine blocks a receptor called 'complement 5a receptor' (C5aR), which is normally activated by C5a, one of a group of proteins in the blood ('the complement system') that form part of the immune system.
When C5a attaches to C5aR it attracts and activates certain immune cells called neutrophils, which are thought to contribute to the inflammation of small blood vessels in microscopic polyangiitis. By blocking C5aR, the medicine is expected to reduce inflammation of small blood vessels, thus improving the symptoms of the disease.
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 microscopic polyangiitis were ongoing.
At the time of submission, the medicine was not authorised anywhere in the EU for microscopic polyangiitis. Orphan designation for this medicine had been granted in the United States for the treatment of 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.
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.
Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma France
Tour Franklin La Defense 8
100 Terrasse Boieldieu
Paris La Defense Cedex
92042
France
Tel: +33180041636
E-mail: avacopan_ra@viforpharma.com
The Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products reviews the orphan designation of a product if it is approved for marketing authorisation.
The Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products reviewed the orphan designation of Tavneos at the time of marketing authorisation, and confirmed that the orphan designation should be maintained.
More information is available in the Tavneos : EPAR - Orphan Medicine Assessment Report (initial authorisation)
EMA publishes information on orphan medicinal product designation adopted by the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP) on the IRIS online platform:
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.
The list of medicines that have received an orphan designation in the EU is available on the European Commission's website: