Meeting highlights from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) 22-25 February 2021
NewsHumanCOVID-19BiosimilarsGeneric and hybrid medicinesMedicinesReferrals
Six new medicines recommended for approval
EMA’s human medicines committee (CHMP) recommended six medicines for approval at its February 2021 meeting.
The Committee recommended granting a marketing authorisation for Evrysdi* (risdiplam), the first treatment that can be given orally to patients with certain types of spinal muscular atrophy, a rare and often fatal genetic disease that causes muscle weakness and progressive loss of movement. Since Evrysdi addresses an unmet medical need, it benefited from support through the PRIME scheme, EMA’s platform for early and enhanced dialogue with developers of promising new medicines. Evrysdi was reviewed under EMA’s accelerated assessment programme. For more information, see the press release in the grid below.
The CHMP recommended granting a conditional marketing authorisation for Jemperli (dostarlimab) for the treatment of certain types of recurrent or advanced endometrial cancer.
Orladeyo* (berotralstat) received a positive opinion for the prevention of recurrent attacks of hereditary angioedema (rapid swelling under the skin).
Two biosimilar medicines, Abevmy (bevacizumab) and Lextemy (bevacizumab), received a positive opinion for the treatment of carcinoma of the colon or rectum, breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, renal cell cancer, epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer, and carcinoma of the cervix.
The generic medicine Abiraterone Accord (abiraterone) received a positive opinion for the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer.
Five recommendations on extensions of therapeutic indication
The Committee recommended extensions of indication for Cabometyx, Epidyolex, Opdivo, Quofenix and Sarclisa.
Negative opinions on extensions of therapeutic indication
The CHMP adopted negative opinions for extensions of indication for Elebrato Ellipta (fluticasone furoate / umeclidinium / vilanterol), Temybric Ellipta (fluticasone furoate / umeclidinium / vilanterol) and Trelegy Ellipta (fluticasone furoate / umeclidinium / vilanterol) to add treatment of patients with asthma. For more information on these negative opinions, see the question-and-answer documents in the grid below.
Outcome of review on Varilrix
The CHMP completed a review of the vaccine Varilrix (live attenuated varicella virus [OKA strain]), used for protecting individuals against varicella (chickenpox), and recommended changes to the prescribing information in order to harmonise the way the medicine is used in the EU. For more information, see the question-and-answer document in the grid below.
Outcome of review on the use of REGN-COV2 for COVID-19
The Committee completed its review on the use of the monoclonal antibodies casirivimab and imdevimab to treat patients with COVID-19. This review was undertaken to provide a harmonised scientific opinion at EU level to support national decision making on the possible use of the antibodies prior to marketing authorisation. The Agency concluded that the combination also known as REGN-COV2 can be used for the treatment of confirmed COVID-19 in patients who do not require supplemental oxygen and who are at high risk of progressing to severe COVID-19. For more information, see the public health communication in the grid below.
Guidance to address coronavirus variants
EMA has issued guidance outlining the requirements for manufacturers planning to modify their COVID-19 vaccines in order to address coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) variants. The CHMP has adopted a reflection paper which details the laboratory (non-clinical), clinical, quality and manufacturing data needed to support the approval of such ‘variant’ vaccines.
New pilot project for early contact with patients
The CHMP started a new pilot project to enhance engagement with patients at the start of review of all marketing authorisation applications for orphan medicines. This one-year pilot will enable patients to share their views on aspects such as quality of life, treatment options and unmet medical needs with the CHMP so they can be aware of all aspects from the beginning. More details of this project can be found in the Pilot phase for CHMP early contact with patient / consumer organisations.
Agenda and minutes
The agenda of the February meeting is published on EMA's website. Minutes of the January 2021 CHMP meeting will be published in the coming weeks.
CHMP statistics
Key figures from the February 2021 CHMP meeting are represented in the graphic below.
* This product was designated as an orphan medicine during its development. Orphan designations are reviewed by EMA's Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP) at the time of approval to determine whether the information available to date allows maintaining the medicine’s orphan status and granting the medicine ten years of market exclusivity.
Positive recommendations on new medicines
| Name of medicine | Evrysdi |
| INN | risdiplam |
| Marketing-authorisation applicant | Roche Registration GmbH |
| Therapeutic indication | Treatment of spinal muscular atrophy |
| More information | News: First oral treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) recommended for approval |
| Name of medicine | Jemperli |
| INN | dostarlimab |
| Marketing-authorisation applicant | GlaxoSmithKline (Ireland) Limited |
| Therapeutic indication | Treatment of certain types of recurrent or advanced endometrial cancer |
| More information | Jemperli: Pending EC decision |
| Name of medicine | Orladeyo |
| INN | berotralstat |
| Marketing-authorisation applicant | BioCryst Ireland Limited |
| Therapeutic indication | Prevention of recurrent attacks of hereditary angioedema |
| More information |
Positive recommendations on new biosimilar medicines
| Name of medicine | Abevmy |
| INN | bevacizumab |
| Marketing-authorisation applicant | Mylan IRE Healthcare Limited |
| Therapeutic indication | Treatment of carcinoma of the colon or rectum, breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, renal cell cancer, epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer, and carcinoma of the cervix |
| More information | Abevmy: Pending EC decision |
| Name of medicine | Lextemy |
| INN | bevacizumab |
| Marketing-authorisation applicant | Mylan IRE Healthcare Limited |
| Therapeutic indication | Treatment of carcinoma of the colon or rectum, breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, renal cell cancer, epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer, and carcinoma of the cervix |
| More information | Lextemy: Pending EC decision |
Positive recommendation on new generic medicine
| Name of medicine | Abiraterone Accord |
| INN | abiraterone |
| Marketing-authorisation applicant | Accord Healthcare S.L.U. |
| Therapeutic indication | Treatment of metastatic prostate cancer |
| More information | Abiraterone Accord: Pending EC decision |
Positive recommendations on extensions of indications
| Name of medicine | Cabometyx |
| INN | cabozantinib |
| Marketing-authorisation holder | Ipsen Pharma |
| More information | Cabometyx: Pending EC decision |
| Name of medicine | Epidyolex |
| INN | cannabidiol |
| Marketing-authorisation holder | GW Pharma (International) B.V. |
| More information | Epidyolex: Pending EC decision |
| Name of medicine | Opdivo |
| INN | nivolumab |
| Marketing-authorisation holder | Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma EEIG |
| More information | Opdivo: Pending EC decision |
| Name of medicine | Quofenix |
| INN | delafloxacin |
| Marketing-authorisation holder | A. Menarini Industrie Farmaceutiche Riunite s.r.l. |
| More information | Quofenix: Pending EC decision |
| Name of medicine | Sarclisa |
| INN | isatuximab |
| Marketing-authorisation holder | sanofi-aventis groupe |
| More information | Sarclisa: Pending EC decision |
Negative recommendations on new therapeutic indications
| Name of medicine | Elebrato Ellipta |
| INN | fluticasone furoate / umeclidinium / vilanterol |
| Marketing-authorisation holder | GlaxoSmithKline Trading Services Limited |
| More information | Elebrato Ellipta: Pending EC decision |
| Name of medicine | Temybric Ellipta |
| INN | fluticasone furoate / umeclidinium / vilanterol |
| Marketing-authorisation holder | GlaxoSmithKline Trading Services Limited |
| More information | Temybric Ellipta: Pending EC decision |
| Name of medicine | Trelegy Ellipta |
| INN | fluticasone furoate / umeclidinium / vilanterol |
| Marketing-authorisation holder | GlaxoSmithKline Trading Services Limited |
| More information | Trelegy Ellipta: Pending EC decision |
Outcome of harmonisation procedure
| Name of medicine | Varilrix |
| Common name | live attenuated varicella virus (OKA strain) |
| More information | Use of Varilrix (live attenuated varicella virus [OKA strain]) to be harmonised in the EU |
Opinion on any scientific matter (Article 5(3))
| Name of medicine | REGN-COV2 |
| INN | casirivimab / imdevimab |
| More information | EMA issues advice on use of REGN-COV2 antibody combination (casirivimab / imdevimab) |