Overview

On 5 August 2013, orphan designation (EU/3/13/1181) was granted by the European Commission to Dr Falk Pharma GmbH, Germany, for budesonide for the treatment of eosinophilic oesophagitis.

Budesonide has been authorised in the EU as Jorveza since 8 January 2018.

Eosinophilic oesophagitis is a disease characterised by inflammation of the oesophagus (the tube that leads from the mouth to the stomach) caused by excess of a type of white blood cell called eosinophils. The main symptoms of the disease are dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and obstruction of the oesophagus.

Eosinophilic oesophagitis is a long-term debilitating disease that leads to oesophageal stenosis (narrowing of the oesophagus), which can only be treated with invasive procedures.

At the time of designation, eosinophilic oesophagitis affected less than 5 in 10,000 people in the European Union (EU). This was equivalent to a total of fewer than 255,000 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, no satisfactory methods were authorised in the EU for the treatment of eosinophilic oesophagitis. As allergy was thought to be a possible cause of the disease, allergens were excluded from the diet. Oesophageal dilation (widening) was performed in some patients, although it carries the risk of complication such as perforation of the oesophagus.

Budesonide is a well-known corticosteroid mainly used by inhalation for the treatment of asthma. Corticosteroids help reduce inflammation by attaching to receptors of immune cells and reducing the release of substances that are involved in the inflammation process.

This medicine will be available as effervescent tablets to be dissolved in the mouth for use in adults, and a viscous (thick) suspension to be taken by mouth in children. These formulations are expected to release budesonide mainly in the oesophagus, reducing the inflammation and relieving the symptoms of eosinophilic oesophagitis.

The effects of budesonide have been evaluated in experimental models.

At the time of submission of the application for orphan designation, clinical trials with budesonide in patients with eosinophilic oesophagitis were ongoing.

At the time of submission, budesonide was not authorised anywhere in the EU for eosinophilic oesophagitis. Orphan designation of budesonide had been granted in the United States for this condition.

In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 141/2000 of 16 December 1999, the COMP adopted a positive opinion on 11 July 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.

EU/3/13/1181: Public summary of opinion on orphan designation: Budesonide for the treatment of eosinophilic oesophagitis

Key facts

Active substance
Budesonide
Intended use
Treatment of eosinophilic oesophagitis
Orphan designation status
Positive
EU designation number
EU/3/13/1181
Date of designation
Sponsor

Dr. Falk Pharma GmbH
Leinenweberstrasse 5
D-79108 Freiburg i.Br.
Germany
Tel. +49 7611514 0
Fax +49 7611514 391
E-mail: zentrale@drfalkpharma.de

Review of designation

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

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

Patients' organisations

For contact details of patients’ organisations whose activities are targeted at rare diseases, see:

  • Orphanet, a database containing information on rare diseases, which includes a directory of patients’ organisations registered in Europe.

  • European Organisation for Rare Diseases (EURORDIS), a non-governmental alliance of patient organisations and individuals active in the field of rare diseases.

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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