EU/3/20/2258 - orphan designation for treatment of immune thrombocytopenia
sutimlimab
OrphanHuman
Overview
On 28 February 2020, orphan designation EU/3/20/2258 was granted by the European Commission to Celerion Austria GmbH, Austria, for sutimlimab for the treatment of immune thrombocytopenia. The sponsorship was transferred to Genzyme Europe B.V., the Netherlands, in April 2020.
Immune thrombocytopenia is a condition in which the immune system (the body’s natural defences) attacks the platelets, components in the blood that help it to clot. As a result, blood levels of platelets are low (thrombocytopenia) resulting in spontaneous bleeding and bruising. Although not all patients experience bleeding, severe bleeding can occur in some patients.
Immune thrombocytopenia is a debilitating and life-threatening condition because of the risk of severe bleeding, especially in the brain.
At the time of designation, immune thrombocytopenia affected approximately 2.4 in 10,000 people in the European Union (EU). This was equivalent to a total of around 125,000 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 519,200,000 (Eurostat 2020).
At the time of designation, authorised treatments included human immunoglobulin, Nplate (romiplostim), Revolade (eltrombopag) and certain corticosteroids. Some patients required surgery (splenectomy) to remove the spleen, an organ involved in the filtering of blood which includes the removal of old platelets from the body.
The sponsor has provided sufficient information to show that sutimlimab might be of significant benefit for patients with immune thrombocytopenia. Early studies show that the medicine could lead to significant improvements in platelet levels in patients whose condition had not responded to at least two authorised treatments. This assumption will need to be confirmed at the time of marketing authorisation, in order to maintain the orphan status.
In patients with immune thrombocytopenia, components of the immune system called IgG antibodies are faulty and attack platelets.
This medicine is a monoclonal antibody (a type of protein) that has been designed to attach to and block a protein called C1 which is involved in setting off an immune response. By blocking C1, the medicine is expected to reduce the damage to platelets, increase their levels and thus improve symptoms of the condition.
The effects of sutimlimab have been evaluated in experimental models.
At the time of submission of the application for orphan designation, clinical trials with sutimlimab in patients with immune thrombocytopenia were ongoing.
At the time of submission, sutimlimab was not authorised anywhere in the EU for the treatment of immune thrombocytopenia. It was designated as an orphan medicinal product in the United States for this condition.
In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 141/2000, the COMP adopted a positive opinion on 22 January 2020, 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.
Key facts
- Active substance
- sutimlimab
- Intended use
- Treatment of immune thrombocytopenia
- Orphan designation status
- Positive
- EU designation number
- EU/3/20/2258
- Date of designation
- Sponsor
Sanofi B.V.
Update history
| Date | Update |
|---|---|
| July 2023 | The sponsor’s name was changed from Genzyme Europe B.V. to Sanofi B.V. in July 2023. |
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: