EU/3/18/2004 - orphan designation for treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Tazemetostat
OrphanHuman
Overview
On 21 March 2018, orphan designation (EU/3/18/2004) was granted by the European Commission to Quintiles Ireland Limited, Ireland, for tazemetostat for the treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
In May 2018, Quintiles Ireland Limited changed name to IQVIA RDS Ireland Limited.
The sponsorship was transferred to Voisin Consulting S.A.R.L., France, in June 2019.
In October 2021, Voisin Consulting S.A.R.L. changed name to Voisin Consulting Life Sciences.
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is a type of blood cancer and the most common form of a group of blood cancers known as non-Hodgkin lymphomas.
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma affects a type of white blood cell called B lymphocytes, or B cells. In patients with this cancer, the B cells multiply too quickly and live for too long, so there are too many of them in the lymph nodes. The first sign of the disease is usually a lump in the neck, under the arm or in the groin area, which is caused by an enlarged lymph node. Patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma may also have fever, tiredness, night sweats or weight loss that have no obvious cause.
Although some people with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma can be cured, it remains a serious and life-threatening disease, particularly when the disease is diagnosed late or has come back after treatment.
At the time of designation, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma affected approximately 4.3 in 10,000 people in the European Union (EU). This was equivalent to a total of around 222,000 people*, and is below the ceiling for orphan designation, which is 5 people in 10,000. This isbased 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 28), Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. This represents a population of 517,400,000 (Eurostat 2018).
At the time of designation, several medicines were authorised for the treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the EU. The main treatment was chemotherapy (medicines to treat cancer) usually in combination with medicines called monoclonal antibodies and sometimes with radiotherapy (treatment with radiation). Autologous haematopoietic (blood) stem-cell transplantation was also used in patients at risk of the disease coming back after treatment. This is a procedure where the patient's bone marrow is replaced with the patient's own stem cells to form new bone marrow that produces healthy blood cells.
The sponsor has provided sufficient information to show that the medicine might be of significant benefit for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma because early results from studies in patients with the condition showed responses to treatment that compared well to those seen with authorised products in other studies. This assumption will need to be confirmed at the time of marketing authorisation, in order to maintain the orphan status.
Tazemetostat blocks the action of a protein called EZH2. Some patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma have an altered form of the EZH2 protein, which encourages abnormal growth and development of B cells. By blocking the altered EZH2 protein, tazememostat is expected to lead to the death of the lymphoma cells and thus stop the spread of the lymphoma.
The effects of tazemetostat have been evaluated in experimental models.
At the time of submission of the application for orphan designation, clinical trials with tazemetostat in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma were ongoing.
At the time of submission, tazemetostat was not authorised anywhere in the EU for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Orphan designation of the medicine had been granted in the United States for various types of cancer including follicular lymphoma.
In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 141/2000 of 16 December 1999, the COMP adopted a positive opinion on 15 February 2018 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
- Tazemetostat
- Intended use
- Treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
- Orphan designation status
- Positive
- EU designation number
- EU/3/18/2004
- Date of designation
- Sponsor
Ipsen Pharma
Review of designation
The Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products reviews the orphan designation of a product if it is approved for marketing authorisation.
Update history
| Date | Update |
|---|---|
| April 2023 | The sponsorship was transferred from Voisin Consulting Life Sciences, France, to Ipsen Pharma, France. |
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: