EU/3/16/1727 - orphan designation for treatment of acute radiation syndrome

recombinant human interleukin-12

Overview

On 29 August 2016, orphan designation (EU/3/16/1727) was granted by the European Commission to Coté Orphan Consulting UK Limited, United Kingdom, for recombinant human interleukin-12 for the treatment of acute radiation syndrome.

The sponsorship was transferred to Quintiles Ireland Limited, Ireland, in March 2018.

In May 2018 the sponsor, Quintiles Ireland Limited changed name to IQVIA RDS Ireland Limited.

What is acute radiation syndrome?

Acute radiation syndrome (also known as radiation sickness) is a severe illness caused by exposure of the body to a high dose of radiation in a very short period. This can occur, for example, following an accident at a nuclear power plant or the use of radioactive material for medical purposes.

Symptoms can begin within a few hours of exposure and their severity depends on the amount of radiation absorbed by the body. Relatively small amounts result in gastrointestinal effects such as nausea (feeling sick), vomiting and diarrhoea, reduction in blood cell count, and tendency to infection and bleeding. Relatively large amounts of radiation can result in effects on the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and rapidly lead to death.

Acute radiation syndrome is a life-threatening condition because it can lead to failure of multiple organs and death.

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

At the time of designation, acute radiation syndrome affected approximately 0.01 in 10,000 people in the European Union (EU). This was equivalent to a total of around 500 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).

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*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 28), Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. This represents a population of 513,700,000 (Eurostat 2016).

What treatments are available?

At the time of designation, no satisfactory methods were authorised in the EU for the treatment of acute radiation syndrome.

How is this medicine expected to work?

This medicine is a copy of a natural protein known as interleukin-12 that has been made by 'recombinant DNA technology': it is made by cells into which genes (DNA) have been introduced that make the cells able to produce the protein. Interleukin-12 has several actions in the body, including helping the immune cells to fight infections and, along with other proteins, stimulating the production of blood cells. Based on results of studies in animals, the medicine is expected to be able to limit the effects of radiation on the bone marrow (where blood cells are produced) and the gut.

What is the stage of development of this medicine?

At the time of submission of the application for orphan designation, the evaluation of the effects of the medicine in experimental models was ongoing. For ethical reasons, no clinical trials in patients with acute radiation syndrome are planned.
At the time of submission, the medicine was not authorised anywhere in the EU for acute radiation syndrome. Orphan designation of this medicine has 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 13 July 2016 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/3/16/1727 : Public summary of opinion on orphan designation: Recombinant human interleukin-12 for treatment of acute radiation syndrome

Adopted

Key facts

• Active substance:
  recombinant human interleukin-12
• Intended use:
  Treatment of acute radiation syndrome
• Orphan designation status:
  Positive
• EU designation number:
  EU/3/16/1727
• Date of designation:
  29/08/2016
• Sponsor:

  IQVIA RDS Ireland Limited;

Review of designation

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