EU/3/14/1429: Orphan designation for the treatment of ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is cancer of the ovaries, the two organs in the female reproductive system that produce eggs. Most ovarian cancers occur in women over the age of 50 years. Due to the absence of symptoms in the early stages of the disease, the majority of patients are diagnosed when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Ovarian cancer is a long-term debilitating and life-threatening disease that is associated with poor long-term survival.

At the time of designation, ovarian cancer affected not more than 3 in 10,000 people in the European Union (EU). This was equivalent to a total of fewer than 153,000 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, several medicines were authorised in the EU for the treatment of ovarian cancer. The choice of treatment depended mainly on how advanced the disease was. Treatments included surgery and chemotherapy (medicines to treat cancer).

The sponsor has provided sufficient information to show that the medicine might be of significant benefit for patients with ovarian cancer because studies in experimental models showed that patients whose cancer was previously treated with standard platinum-based chemotherapy but had become resistant to this treatment may become sensitive again. This assumption will need to be confirmed at the time of marketing authorisation, in order to maintain the orphan status.

The medicine blocks the action of certain enzymes, including the enzyme 'focal adhesion kinase' (FAK), which are involved in regulating cell function. In ovarian cancer, these enzymes are overactive and promote the growth and spread of the cancer cells and the development of new blood vessels that supply the tumour. By blocking these enzymes, the medicine is expected to reduce the growth and spread of the cancer.

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 ovarian cancer were ongoing.

At the time of submission, the medicine was not authorised anywhere in the EU for ovarian cancer 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 December 2014 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.