EU/3/19/2141: Orphan designation for the treatment of haemophilia B

Haemophilia B is an inherited bleeding disorder that is caused by the lack of factor IX, which is one of the proteins involved in the blood coagulation (clotting) process. Patients with haemophilia B are more prone to bleeding than normal and have poor wound healing after injury or surgery. Bleeding can also happen within muscles or the spaces in the joints, such as the elbows, knees and ankles. This can lead to permanent injury if it happens repeatedly.

Haemophilia B is a debilitating disease that is life long and may be life threatening because bleeding can also happen in the brain and spinal cord, the throat or the gut.

At the time of designation, haemophilia B affected approximately 0.16 in 10,000 people in the European Union (EU). This was equivalent to a total of around 8,000 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).

At the time of designation, medicines containing factor IX were authorised in the EU for the treatment of haemophilia B, to replace the missing protein. However, factor IX medicines did not work in some patients with haemophilia B because the immune system (the body’s natural defences) can produce ‘inhibitors’ (antibodies) against factor IX which stop the factor IX medicine from working. In these cases, other treatments needed to be used, such as factor VIIa (the activated form of factor VII, another protein involved in blood clotting), either alone or as part of a combination treatment.

The sponsor has provided sufficient information to show that the medicine might be of significant benefit for patients with haemophilia B. Preliminary laboratory data show that it can increase the amount of factor IX circulating in the blood. This assumption will need to be confirmed at the time of marketing authorisation, in order to maintain the orphan status.

This medicine is made of a virus that contains a copy of the gene responsible for producing factor IX. When the medicine is injected into the patient, the virus is expected to carry the gene into the liver cells enabling them to start producing the missing factor IX and thereby help to relieve symptoms of the disease.

The virus used in this medicine (lentivirus) is modified in order not to cause disease in humans.

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

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

At the time of submission, the medicine was not authorised anywhere in the EU for haemophilia B 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 24 January 2019 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.