EU/3/21/2441: Orphan designation for the treatment of Leber's congenital amaurosis

The medicine consists of a virus that contains normal copies of the CRX gene. When injected into the eye, under the retina, it is expected that the virus carries the CRX gene into the retinal cells, enabling them to produce a normal copy of the protein CRX that is defective in patients with Leber's congenital amaurosis . This is then expected to preserve the cells in the retina and help them to function better, thereby reducing the progression of the condition.

The type of virus used in this medicine ('adeno-associated virus') does not cause disease in humans.

Based on description provided by sponsor

At the time of submission of the application for orphan designation:

• The evaluation of the effects of the medicine in experimental models was ongoing.
• No clinical trials with the medicine in patients with Leber's congenital amaurosis had been started.

More information on how potential new medicines are tested during their development is available on Authorisation of medicines.

Medicines intended for rare diseases can be granted an orphan designation during their development.

The orphan designation allows the developer to benefit from:

• scientific and regulatory support to advance their medicine to the stage where they can request marketing authorisation;

• market exclusivity once the medicine is on the market.

To qualify for orphan designation, a medicine must meet a number of criteria:

• it must be intended for the treatment, prevention or diagnosis of a disease that is life-threatening or chronically debilitating;

• the prevalence of the condition in the EU must not be more than 5 in 10,000 or it must be unlikely that marketing of the medicine would generate sufficient returns to justify the investment needed for its development;

• there are no satisfactory alternative methods for the diagnosis, prevention or treatment of the condition or, if such a method exists, the medicine is of significant benefit to those affected by the condition.

EMA's Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP) is responsible for issuing opinions on applications for orphan designations.

The Agency sends the COMP opinion to the European Commission, which is responsible for granting the orphan designation. The full list of orphan designations is available in the Community register of orphan medicinal products for human use.

For more information, see:

• Orphan designation: Overview

• Rare diseases, orphan medicines: Getting the facts straight