EU/3/08/541: Orphan designation for the treatment of erythropoietic protoporphyria
[Nle4, D-Phe7]-alfa-melanocyte stimulating hormone (afamelanotide)
Table of contents
Overview
On 8 May 2008, orphan designation (EU/3/08/541) was granted by the European Commission to Clinuvel UK Limited, United Kingdom, for [Nle4, D-Phe7]-alfa-melanocyte stimulating hormone for the treatment of erythropoietic protoporphyria.
[Nle4, D-Phe7]-alfa-melanocyte stimulating hormone has been authorised in the EU as Scenesse since 22 December 2014.
This medicine is now known as afamelanotide.
The sponsorship was transferred to Clinuvel Europe Limited, Ireland, in March 2019.
Key facts
Active substance |
[Nle4, D-Phe7]-alfa-melanocyte stimulating hormone (afamelanotide)
|
Medicine name |
Scenesse
|
Intended use |
Treatment of erythropoietic protoporphyria
|
Orphan designation status |
Positive
|
EU designation number |
EU/3/08/541
|
Date of designation |
08/05/2008
|
Sponsor |
Clinuvel Europe Limited |
Review of designation
During its meeting of 11 to 13 November 2014, the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP) reviewed the designation EU/3/08/541 for Scenesse (afamelanotide)1 as an orphan medicinal product for the treatment of erythropoietic protoporphyria. The COMP assessed whether, at the time of marketing authorisation, the medicinal product still met the criteria for orphan designation. The Committee looked at the seriousness and prevalence of the condition, and the existence of other methods of treatment. The COMP recommended that the orphan designation of the medicine be maintained2.
1Previously known as [Nle4, D-Phe7]-alfa-melanocyte stimulating hormone.
2The maintenance of the orphan designation at time of marketing authorisation would, except in specific situations, give an orphan medicinal product 10 years of market exclusivity in the EU. This means that in the 10 years after its authorisation similar products with a comparable therapeutic indication cannot be placed on the market.
Recommendation for maintenance of orphan designation at the time of marketing authorisation: Scenesse (afamelanotide) for the treatment of erythropoietic protoporphyria (PDF/77.8 KB)
First published: 17/02/2015
Last updated: 17/02/2015
EMA/COMP/693753/2014
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: