Refusal of orphan designation for treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that is anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive

5-chloro-N2-[2-isopropoxy-5-methyl-4-(4-piperidinyl)phenyl]-N4-[2-(isopropylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2,4-pyrimidinediamine
Orphan Human

Overview

On 17 February 2014, the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP) adopted a negative opinion on the orphan designation application for 5-chloro-N2-[2-isopropoxy-5-methyl-4-(4-piperidinyl)phenyl]-N4-[2-(isopropylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2,4-pyrimidinediamine for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that is anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive. A negative decision was issued by the European Commission on 28 March 2014.

The sponsor applied for orphan designation on the basis of the seriousness and the rarity of the condition, as well as an assumption of potential benefit over currently available methods of treatment.

The negative opinion was based on the following reasons:

  • The condition applied for (NSCLC that is ALK-positive) is not a distinct, recognised medical entity but rather a subset of a broader medical condition, namely NSCLC, which is not rare.
  • The condition applied for is also not a valid subset for orphan designation, because it cannot be established that the medicinal product would only work in patients in this subset as opposed to other patients with NSCLCs.
  • Given that there is no valid subset of patients with NSCLC in which the product would be used, orphan designation for the broader medical condition (NSCLC) should have been applied for. As the prevalence of NSCLC (estimated to be about 6 in 10,000) is above the ceiling for orphan designation, which 5 in 10,000 people, the Committee could not recommend the granting of orphan designation.

Requests for designation as an orphan medicinal product are made for investigational products. Absence of orphan designation does not preclude the development of this product, including its use in clinical trials. A marketing authorisation can still be obtained if quality, safety and efficacy are demonstrated.

Public summary of opinion on orphan designation: 5-chloro-N2-[2-isopropoxy-5-methyl-4-(4-piperidinyl)phenyl]-N4-[2-(isopropylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2,4-pyrimidinediamine for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) ...

Adopted Reference Number: EMA/COMP/88624/2014

English (EN) (78.53 KB - PDF)

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Key facts

Active substance
5-chloro-N2-[2-isopropoxy-5-methyl-4-(4-piperidinyl)phenyl]-N4-[2-(isopropylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2,4-pyrimidinediamine
Intended use
Treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that is anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive
Orphan designation status
Negative
EU designation number
-
Date of refusal of designation
Sponsor

Novartis Europharm Limited

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:

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