EU/3/12/1020 - orphan designation for treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
recombinant human pentraxin-2
Orphan
Human
Overview
On 17 July 2012, orphan designation (EU/3/12/1020) was granted by the European Commission to Appletree Europe S.a.r.l., Luxemburg, for recombinant human pentraxin-2 for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
The sponsorship was transferred to FGK Representative Service GmbH, Germany, in April 2014.
The sponsorship was transferred to Roche Registration GmbH, Germany, in April 2020.
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a long-term disease of the lungs characterised by the progressive deposition of collagen and fibrous tissue in the lungs. This causes the lung tissue to become inflamed and thick and form scars. As a result, the lungs become unable to work normally, reducing the transfer of oxygen from the air into the blood. Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis have a persistent cough, frequent lung infections and shortness of breath that worsens over time.
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a life-threatening and long-term debilitating disease because the lungs gradually lose their ability to work properly.
At the time of designation, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis affected not more than 1.5 in 10,000 people in the European Union (EU). This was equivalent to a total of not more than 76,000 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).
*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 (EU 27), Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. At the time of designation, this represented a population of 509,000,000 (Eurostat 2012).
At the time of designation, Esbriet (pirfenidone) was the only medicine authorised in the EU to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
The sponsor has provided sufficient information to show that recombinant human pentraxin-2 might be of significant benefit for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis because early studies in experimental models show that it works in a different way to existing treatments and might improve the outcome of patients with this condition. This assumption will need to be confirmed at the time of marketing authorisation, in order to maintain the orphan status.
This medicine contains pentraxin-2, a protein that activates certain cells of the immune system (the body's natural defences) that are involved in breaking down and removing 'debris' material from the body. Pentraxin-2 is expected to help these immune cells recognise the debris that causes inflammation and fibrosis in the lungs of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. It is thought to do so by attaching to certain molecules (called DAMP) on the surface of dead cells so that they can be recognised by immune cells as debris. Pentraxin-2 is also expected to increase production of other immune cells that produce the anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic protein IL-10.This is expected to stop the accumulation of deposits in the lungs, reduce the inflammation and help to relieve the symptoms of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Pentraxin-2 is made by a method known as 'recombinant DNA technology': it is made by a cell that has received a gene (DNA) that makes the cell able to produce it.
The effects of recombinant human pentraxin-2 have been evaluated in experimental models.
At the time of submission of the application for orphan designation, clinical trials with the medicine in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis were ongoing.
At the time of submission, recombinant human pentraxin-2 was not authorised anywhere in the EU for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Orphan designation of the medicine had been granted in the United States of America for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 141/2000 of 16 December 1999, the COMP adopted a positive opinion on 13 June 2012 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.
Key facts
- Active substance
- recombinant human pentraxin-2
- Intended use
- Treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
- Orphan designation status
- Positive
- EU designation number
- EU/3/12/1020
- Date of designation
- Sponsor
Roche Registration GmbH
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: