Overview

On 9 December 2020, orphan designation EU/3/20/2367 was granted by the European Commission to Helsinn Birex Pharmaceuticals Limited, Ireland, for (R)-3-(1-(2,3-dichloro-4-(pyrazin-2-yl)phenyl)-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)-1-methyl-1-(1-methylpiperidin-4-yl)urea fumarate (also known as HM04 Fumarate or 12-HM04) for the treatment of Prader-Willi syndrome.

Prader-Willi syndrome is an inherited condition caused by defects in specific regions of chromosome 15. This causes a wide range of symptoms, some of which can appear at birth, such as feeding problems, small size and reduced muscle strength. During childhood further symptoms develop, including increased appetite leading to constant eating and severe obesity, short stature, incomplete sexual development, learning difficulties and behavioural problems, such as aggression and stubbornness.

Prader-Willi syndrome is a life-long debilitating and life-threatening disease because of its serious symptoms, particularly learning difficulties, behavioural problems and obesity.

At the time of designation, Prader-Willi Syndrome affected approximately 0.3 in 10,000 people in the European Union (EU). This was equivalent to a total of around 16,000 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, growth hormone was authorised in the EU for treating Prader-Willi syndrome. In addition, symptoms were treated or managed in various ways, including supervised access to food to prevent obesity.

The sponsor has provided sufficient information to show that the medicine might be of significant benefit for patients with Prader-Willi syndrome, with laboratory data showing that it may reduce excessive food intake – a benefit not seen with growth hormone therapy. This assumption will need to be confirmed at the time of marketing authorisation, in order to maintain the orphan status.

Patients affected by Prader-Willi syndrome have high blood levels of a substance named ghrelin, a hormone mainly produced by the stomach wall. By binding to its receptor (target), ghrelin may alter the perception of hunger and promote overeating.

The medicine is expected to bind to the ghrelin receptors and block them, which may result in reduction of the appetite and food intake. 

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 Prader-Willi syndrome had been started.

At the time of submission, the medicine was not authorised anywhere in the EU for the treatment of
Prader-Willi syndrome or designated as an orphan medicinal product elsewhere for this condition.

In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 141/2000, the COMP adopted a positive opinion on 5 November 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.

EU/3/20/2367: Public summary of opinion on orphan designation: (R)-3-(1-(2,3-dichloro-4-(pyrazin-2-yl)phenyl)-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)-1-methyl-1-(1-methylpiperidin-4-yl)urea fumarate for the treatment of Prader-Willi syndrome

Reference Number: EMADOC-628903358-3725

English (EN) (167.99 KB - PDF)

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Key facts

Active substance
(R)-3-(1-(2,3-dichloro-4-(pyrazin-2-yl)phenyl)-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)-1-methyl-1-(1-methylpiperidin-4-yl)urea fumarate
Intended use
Treatment of Prader-Willi syndrome
Orphan designation status
Positive
EU designation number
EU/3/20/2367
Date of designation
Sponsor

Helsinn Birex Pharmaceuticals Limited
Damastown
Mulhuddart
Dublin 15
Ireland
Tel. +353 1 8225404
E-mail: Angioletta.Navini@helsinn.com

Review of designation

The Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products reviews the orphan designation of a product if it is approved for marketing authorisation.

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:

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