EU/3/12/974 - orphan designation for treatment of primary hyperoxaluria type 1
Adeno-associated viral vector of serotype 5 containing the human alanine-glyoxylate-aminotransferase gene
OrphanHuman
Overview
Please note that this product was withdrawn from the Union Register of orphan medicinal products in October 2023 on request of the Sponsor.
On 21 March 2012, orphan designation (EU/3/12/974) was granted by the European Commission to Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics BV, the Netherlands, for adeno-associated viral vector of serotype 5 containing the human alanine-glyoxylate-aminotransferase gene for the treatment of primary hyperoxaluria type 1.
In July 2012, Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics BV changed name to uniQure biopharma B.V.
Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 is an inherited disease caused by the lack of a liver enzyme called alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase (AGXT). This enzyme is needed to convert a compound called glyoxylate into glycine (an amino acid), which is used for making enzymes and other proteins. Patients who lack this enzyme have high levels of oxalate in the urine, because glyoxylate instead of being converted into glycine is converted into excess oxalate. Oxalate can form calcium oxalate deposits, which can cause stones in the kidney and urinary tract (structures that carry urine) as well as injury to other organs. Characteristic symptoms of the disease include blood in the urine, abdominal pain and frequent urinary tract infections.
Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 is long-term debilitating and life-threatening because of the high rate of kidney failure seen with the condition.
At the time of designation, primary hyperoxaluria type 1 affected less than 0.03 in 10,000 people in the European Union (EU). This was equivalent to a total of fewer than 1,500 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).
*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. At the time of designation, this represented a population of 507,700,000 (Eurostat 2011).
At the time of designation, no satisfactory methods were authorised in the EU for treating primary hyperoxaluria type 1. Different treatments were used to prevent the accumulation of calcium oxalate such as dietary changes, high fluid intake and vitamin B.
This medicine is made up of a virus that contains the gene for producing AGXT, the enzyme that is lacking in patients with primary hyperoxaluria type 1.
When the medicine is injected into the patient, the virus is expected to carry the AGXT gene into the liver cells. These cells are then expected to produce the AGXT enzyme so that calcium oxalate is not produced in excess, and thereby helping to relieve the symptoms of the disease.
The type of virus used in this medicine ('adeno-associated virus') does not cause disease in humans.
At the time of submission of the application for orphan designation, the evaluation of the effects of the medicine in experimental models was ongoing.
At the time of submission, no clinical trials with the medicine in patients with primary hyperoxaluria type 1 had been started.
At the time of submission, the medicine was not authorised anywhere in the EU for primary hyperoxaluria type 1 or designated as an orphan medicinal product elsewhere for this condition.
In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 141/2000 of 16 December 1999, the COMP adopted a positive opinion on 11 January 2012 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
- Adeno-associated viral vector of serotype 5 containing the human alanine-glyoxylate-aminotransferase gene
- Intended use
- Treatment of primary hyperoxaluria type 1
- Orphan designation status
- Withdrawn
- EU designation number
- EU/3/12/974
- Date of designation
- Sponsor
uniQure biopharma B.V.
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: