EU/3/22/2615 - orphan designation for treatment of fragile X syndrome

Ibudilast

Overview

This medicine was designated as an orphan medicine for the treatment of fragile X syndrome in the European Union on 16 May 2022.

This means that the developer will receive scientific and regulatory support from EMA to advance their medicine to the stage where they can apply for a marketing authorisation.

Orphan designation does not mean the medicine is available or authorised for use. All medicines, including designated orphan medicines, must be authorised before they can be marketed and made available to patients in the EU.

During the medicine's development, doctors may be able to enrol patients in clinical trials investigating the medicine. For information on ongoing clinical trials in the EU, see:

• EU Clinical Trials Register

• ClinicalTrials.gov

How the medicine is expected to work

Ibudilast is a medicine that reduces inflammation in the brain. It also blocks the action of an enzyme called phosphodiesterase (PDE) that reduces the level of glutamate, an important neurotransmitter involved in learning and memory. By blocking certain types of phosphodiesterases, the medicine is expected to increase the levels of glutamate. In combination with the reduction in inflammation, this increase in glutamate levels is expected to improve the symptoms associated with fragile X syndrome.

Ibudilast blocks the action of enzymes called phosphodiesterases (PDEs) and of a substance called macrophage migration inhibiting factor (MIF), which are involved in regulating certain functions of brain cells. By blocking MIF and PDEs, the medicine is expected to suppress the production of inflammatory molecules and increase the production of glutamate, . Together, these actions are expected to improve the symptoms of fragile X syndrome.

Stage of development at time of orphan designation

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

• The effects of the medicine had been evaluated in experimental models.
• No clinical trials with the medicine in patients with fragile X syndrome had been started.

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

About orphan designation

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

Minutes of the COMP meeting on 11-13 April 2022

Adopted Reference Number: EMA/COMP/214405/2022

Key facts

• Active substance:
  Ibudilast
• Intended use:
  Treatment of fragile X syndrome
• Orphan designation status:
  Positive
• EU designation number:
  EU/3/22/2615
• Date of designation:
  16/05/2022
• Sponsor:

  Healx Technology Limited; Clifton House; Fitzwilliam Street Lower; Dublin ; D02 XT91; Ireland; E-mail: [e-mail]