EU/3/01/078 - orphan designation for treatment of mucopolysaccharidosis type II (Hunter's syndrome)

Iduronate-2-sulfatase

Overview

Please note that this product was withdrawn from the Community Register of designated orphan medicinal products in January 2017 at the end of the period of market exclusivity.

On 11 December 2001, orphan designation (EU/3/01/078) was granted by the European Commission to TKT UK Limited, United Kingdom, for iduronate-2-sulfatase for the treatment of mucopolysaccharidosis, type II (Hunter Syndrome).

The sponsorship was transferred to TKT Europe AB, Sweden, in December 2005.

The sponsor changed its name to Shire Human Genetic Therapies AB in February 2010.

Iduronate-2-sulfatase has been authorised in the EU as Elaprase since 8 January 2007.

What is mucopolysaccharidosis, type II (Hunter Syndrome)?

Mucopolysaccharidosis is a so called lysosomal storage disease. It is caused by the absence of the enzyme iduronate-2-sulfatase, which is found in lysosomes. Lysosomes are small organelles that contain several enzymes important to break down substances like proteins and sugars. Normally, iduronate-2-sulfatase would break down two specific mucopolysaccharides. As it is absent in patients with Hunter Syndrome, these mucopolysaccharides build up in the lysosomes. The condition is chronically debilitating and life-threatening in particular due to neurologic decline, difficulties to breath and heart failure.

What is the estimated number of patients affected by the condition?

At the time of designation, mucopolysaccharidosis, type II (Hunter Syndrome) affected approximately 0.02 in 10,000 people in the European Union (EU)*. This is equivalent to a total of around 760 people, and is below the threshold 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).

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*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. At the time of designation, this represented a population of 378,800,000 (Eurostat 2001).

What treatments are available?

No medicinal products were authorised for the treatment of mucopolysaccharidosis type II (Hunter Syndrome) in the Community at the time of submission of the application for orphan drug designation.

The treatment options for mucopolysaccharidosis type II (Hunter Syndrome) patients were limited to symptomatic care.

How is this medicine expected to work?

Iduronate -2- sulfatase is the deficient enzyme in patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type II (Hunter Syndrome). By replacing it with a functioning enzyme, it is expected that the normal lysosomal function is restored and ultimately improve the overall health of the patients.

What is the stage of development of this medicine?

The effects of iduronate -2- sulfatase were evaluated in experimental models. At the time of submission of the application for orphan designation, one clinical trial in patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type II (Hunter Syndrome) was ongoing.

Iduronate-2-sulfatase was not marketed anywhere worldwide for the treatment of mucopolysaccharidosis, type II (Hunter Syndrome) or designated as orphan medicinal product elsewhere for this condition, at the time of submission.

In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 141/2000 of 16 December 1999, the COMP adopted a positive opinion on 26 October 2001 recommending the granting of this designation.

Update: iduronate-2-sulfatase (Elaprase) was authorised in the EU on 8 January 2007 for the long-term treatment of patients with Hunter syndrome (Mucopolysaccharidosis II, MPS II).

Heterozygous females were not studied in the clinical trials.

Opinions on orphan medicinal product designations are based on the following three criteria

• 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 European Union) 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/3/01/078: Public summary of opinion on orphan designation: iduronate-2-sulfatase for the treatment of mucopolysaccharidosis, type II (Hunter Syndrome)

AdoptedReference Number: EMA/COMP/1281/2003 Rev.1

Key facts

• Active substance:
  Iduronate-2-sulfatase
• Medicine name:
  Elaprase
• Intended use:
  Treatment of mucopolysaccharidosis type II (Hunter's syndrome)
• Orphan designation status:
  Expired
• EU designation number:
  EU/3/01/078
• Date of designation:
  11/12/2001
• Sponsor:

  Shire Human Genetic Therapies AB; Svärdvägen 11D; 182 33 Danderyd; Sweden; Tel. [phone]; Fax [phone]

Review of designation

Please note that this product was withdrawn from the Community Register of designated orphan medicinal products in January 2017 at the end of the period of market exclusivity.