EU/3/13/1155 - orphan designation for treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Allogeneic motor neuron progenitor cells derived from human embryonic stem cells
OrphanHuman
Overview
On 17 July 2013, orphan designation (EU/3/13/1155) was granted by the European Commission to California Stem Cell (UK) Ltd, United Kingdom, for allogeneic motor-neurone progenitor cells derived from human embryonic stem cells for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive disease of the nervous system, where nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary movement gradually deteriorate. This causes loss of muscle function and paralysis. The exact causes are unknown but are believed to include genetic and environmental factors. The symptoms of ALS vary depending on which muscles weaken first, and include loss of balance, loss of control of hand and arm movement, and difficulty speaking, swallowing and breathing. ALS usually starts in mid-life and men are more likely to develop the disease than women.
ALS is a long-term debilitating and life-threatening disease because of the gradual loss of function and its paralysing effect on muscles used for breathing which usually leads to death due to respiratory failure.
At the time of designation, ALS affected approximately 0.5 in 10,000 people in the European Union (EU). This was equivalent to a total of around 25,000 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 509,000,000 (Eurostat 2013).
At the time of designation, riluzole was authorised in the EU to treat ALS. Patients also received supportive treatment to temporarily relieve the symptoms of the disease, such as physiotherapy and speech therapy.
The sponsor has provided sufficient information to show that the medicine containing allogeneic motor-neurone progenitor cells derived from human embryonic stem cells might be of significant benefit for patients with ALS because it works in a different way to currently authorised treatment, and early studies in preclinical models show that it might improve the treatment of patients with this condition when used alone or in combination with riluzole. These assumptions will need to be confirmed at the time of marketing authorisation, in order to maintain the orphan status.
The medicine consists of motor-neurone progenitor cells (cells that develop into motor neurones). These have been derived from human embryonic stem cells, immature cells in the embryo that are capable of developing into different kinds of cells.
The medicine is intended for injection into the spinal cord of patients with ALS. Once inside the spinal cord, the cells are expected to develop into mature motor neurones, which will help to improve the patient's condition by releasing certain natural substances (known as growth factors) that delay the loss of motor-neurone function and possibly by replacing some of the patient's poorly functioning or lost motor neurones.
The effects of allogeneic motor-neurone progenitor cells derived from human embryonic stem cells 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 ALS had been started.
At the time of submission, the medicine was not authorised anywhere in the EU for ALS or designated as an orphan medicinal product elsewhere for this condition.
In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 141/2000 of 16 December 1999, the COMP adopted a positive opinion on 13 June 2013 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
- Allogeneic motor neuron progenitor cells derived from human embryonic stem cells
- Intended use
- Treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- Orphan designation status
- Positive
- EU designation number
- EU/3/13/1155
- Date of designation
- Sponsor
California Stem Cell (UK) Ltd
9 Ainslie Place
Edinburgh EH3 6AT
United Kingdom
Tel. +44 (0)131 661 6100
Fax +44 (0)131 332 4500
E-mail: chris@cstemcell.co.uk
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: