EU/3/12/996 - orphan designation for treatment of meningioma

N-Hydroxy-4-(3-methyl-2-(S)-phenyl-butyrylamino) benzamide

Overview

On 6 June 2012, orphan designation (EU/3/12/996) was granted by the European Commission to Sirius Regulatory Consulting Limited, United Kingdom, for N-hydroxy-4-(3-methyl-2-(S)-phenyl-butyrylamino) benzamide for the treatment of meningioma.

What is meningioma?

Meningioma is a type of benign (noncancerous) slow-growing brain tumour that affects the meninges, the protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord. Meningiomas occur most commonly in women over 60 years of age. The main symptoms of the disease arise from the increased pressure within the skull and include headaches, vomiting, problems with vision and coordination, changes in personality, memory loss and seizures (fits).

Meningioma is a debilitating disease because of the damage caused by the tumour in the brain and spinal cord. It can also be life threatening due to the risk of the tumour becoming cancerous.

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

At the time of designation, meningioma affected not more than 1.5 in 10,000 people in the European Union (EU)*. This is 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. This represents a population of 506,300,000 (Eurostat 2011).

What treatments are available?

At the time of designation, the main treatment for meningioma was surgery to remove the tumour. Surgery can cure the disease in the majority of cases.

The sponsor has provided sufficient information to show that N-hydroxy-4-(3-methyl-2-(S)-phenyl-butyrylamino) benzamide might be of significant benefit for patients with meningioma because early studies in experimental models show that it may decrease tumour growth, therefore improving the treatment of patients with this condition, particularly patients whose disease has come back after surgery or for whom surgery is not an option. This assumption will need to be confirmed at the time of marketing authorisation, in order to maintain the orphan status.

How is this medicine expected to work?

This medicine is expected to reduce tumour formation mainly by blocking the activity of histone deacetylases (HDACs), proteins that promote cell division. By blocking HDACs, the medicine is expected to stop cells from dividing and multiplying, leading to cell death. The medicine may also work through other means such as damaging the internal skeleton of the tumour cells and blocking the ability of the cells to repair their DNA.

What is the stage of development of this medicine?

The effects of N-hydroxy-4-(3-methyl-2-(S)-phenyl-butyrylamino) benzamide have been evaluated in experimental models.

At the time of submission of the application for orphan designation, no clinical trials with the medicine in patients with meningioma had been started.

At the time of submission, this medicine was not authorised anywhere in the EU for meningioma. Orphan designation of this medicine had been granted in the United States of America for this condition.

In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 141/2000 of 16 December 1999, the COMP adopted a positive opinion on 12 April 2012 recommending the granting of this designation.

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 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/3/12/996: Public summary of opinion on orphan designation: N-Hydroxy-4-(3-methyl-2-(S)-phenyl-butyrylamino) benzamide for the treatment of meningioma

Adopted Reference Number: EMA/COMP/285075/2012

Key facts

• Active substance:
  N-Hydroxy-4-(3-methyl-2-(S)-phenyl-butyrylamino) benzamide
• Intended use:
  Treatment of meningioma
• Orphan designation status:
  Positive
• EU designation number:
  EU/3/12/996
• Date of designation:
  06/06/2012
• Sponsor:

  Propharma Group The Netherlands B.V.;

Review of designation

The Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products reviews the orphan designation of a product if it is approved for marketing authorisation.