Overview

On 17 July 2012, orphan designation (EU/3/12/1022) was granted by the European Commission to Aptiv Solutions (UK) Limited, United Kingdom, for metreleptin for the treatment of familial partial lipodystrophy.

The sponsorship was transferred to Bristol-Myers Squibb / AstraZeneca EEIG, United Kingdom, in February 2014 then to AstraZeneca AB, Sweden, in April 2014 and subsequently to Aegerion Pharmaceuticals Limited, United Kingdom, in March 2015.

The sponsorship was transferred to Aegerion Pharmaceuticals B.V., The Netherland, in November 2017.

Metreleptin for treatment of familial partial lipodystrophy has been authorised in the EU as Myalepta since 30 July 2018.

The sponsorship was transferred to Amryt Pharmaceuticals Designated Activity Company, Ireland, in March 2020.

Familial partial lipodystrophy is a condition characterised by loss of subcutaneous (under the skin), adipose (fatty) tissue in some parts of the body, and accumulation of fat in other parts. Patients with familial partial lipodystrophy have normal body fat distribution during infancy and early childhood, but during or after puberty, patients develop progressive loss of fat in the limbs, anterior abdomen and chest. Many patients (especially women) have accumulation of fat in the face, neck, and intra-abdominal regions.

The disease leads to severe complications, including high levels of fats called triglycerides circulating in the blood, insulin resistance (when the body is unable to recognise insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels), diabetes and an abnormal build-up of fats in organs, especially the liver.

Familial partial lipodystrophy is a long-term debilitating condition because of its severe complications including diabetes, hypertriglyceridemia (high blood triglyceride levels), acute pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), and severe disease of major organs such as the heart and liver.

At the time of designation, familial partial lipodystrophy affected approximately 0.2 in 10,000 people in the European Union (EU). This was equivalent to a total of around 10,000 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, no methods were authorised in the EU for the treatment of familial partial lipodystrophy. Patients with the condition were advised to follow a low-fat diet.

Metreleptin is similar to a human hormone called leptin, which plays a key role in regulating body fat. In familial partial lipodystrophy, metreleptin is expected to increase fat breakdown in the blood, muscles and liver, and improve insulin function, thereby correcting some abnormalities in patients with this condition such as insulin resistance. However, the medicine is not expected to restore adipose tissue.

Metreleptin is made by a method known as 'recombinant DNA technology': it is made by bacteria that have received a gene (DNA) which makes them able to produce metreleptin.

The effects of metreleptin have been evaluated in experimental models.

At the time of submission of the application for orphan designation, clinical trials with metreleptin including patients with familial partial lipodystrophy were ongoing.

At the time of submission, metreleptin was not authorised anywhere in the EU for familial partial lipodystrophy. Orphan designation of metreleptin had been granted in the United States of America for metabolic disorders secondary to lipodystrophy.

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.

EU/3/12/1022: Public summary of opinion on orphan designation: Metreleptin for the treatment of familial partial lipodystrophy

Key facts

Active substance
Metreleptin
Medicine name
Myalepta
Intended use
Treatment of familial partial lipodystrophy
Orphan designation status
Positive
EU designation number
EU/3/12/1022
Date of designation
Sponsor

Amryt Pharmaceuticals Designated Activity Company
 

Review of designation

The Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products reviewed the orphan designation of Myalepta at the time of marketing authorisation, and confirmed that the orphan designation should be maintained.

More information is available in the Myalepta : Orphan maintenance assessment report (initial authorisation).

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:

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:

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