Adlumiz

Refused

This medicine has been refused authorisation

anamorelin

Overview

On 18 May 2017, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a negative opinion, recommending the refusal of the marketing authorisation for the medicinal product Adlumiz, intended for the treatment of anorexia, cachexia or unintended weight loss in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. The company that applied for authorisation is Helsinn Birex Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

The company requested a re-examination of the initial opinion. After considering the grounds for this request, the CHMP re-examined the opinion, and confirmed the refusal of the marketing authorisation on 14 September 2017.

What is Adlumiz?

Adlumiz is a medicine that contains the active substance anamorelin hydrochloride. It was to be available as 100 mg tablets to be taken by mouth.

What was Adlumiz expected to be used for?

Adlumiz was expected to be used to treat anorexia (loss of appetite), cachexia (a form of muscle wasting with significant weight loss) or unintended weight loss in patients with a type of lung cancer called non-small cell lung cancer.

How does Adlumiz work?

Adlumiz attaches to and activates a target on cells called a ghrelin receptor. Activation of the receptor causes release of substances in the body which are expected to act in the brain to increase appetite and prevent weight loss.

What did the company present to support its application?

The company presented results of two main studies involving a total of around 1,000 non-small cell lung cancer patients with cachexia. Patients were given either Adlumiz or placebo (a dummy treatment) and the main measures of effectiveness were changes in lean body mass (body weight excluding fat) and hand grip strength.

What were the CHMP’s main concerns that led to the refusal?

The CHMP concluded that the studies show a marginal effect of Adlumiz on lean body mass and no proven effect on hand grip strength or patients’ quality of life. In addition, following an inspection at clinical study sites, CHMP considered that the safety data on the medicine had not been recorded adequately. This meant that a thorough evaluation of potential risks with Adlumiz was not possible.

Therefore the CHMP was of the opinion that the benefits of Adlumiz did not outweigh its risks and recommended that it be refused marketing authorisation.

The CHMP refusal was confirmed after re-examination.

What consequences does this refusal have for patients in clinical trials or compassionate use programmes?

The company informed the CHMP that there are no ongoing clinical trials or compassionate use programmes in Europe with Adlumiz.

Questions and answers on refusal of the marketing authorisation for Adlumiz (anamorelin hydrochloride)

AdoptedReference Number: EMA/599030/2017

Product details

• Name of medicine:
  Adlumiz
• Active substance:
  anamorelin hydrochloride
• International non-proprietary name (INN) or common name:
  anamorelin
• Therapeutic area (MeSH):
  • Cachexia
  • Anorexia
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung
• Anatomical therapeutic chemical (ATC) code:
  V03

Pharmacotherapeutic group

All other therapeutic products

Application details

• EMA product number:
  EMEA/H/C/003847
• Marketing authorisation applicant:
  Helsinn Birex Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
• Opinion adopted:
  14/09/2017
• Refusal of marketing authorisation:
  16/11/2017

Assessment history

Adlumiz : EPAR - Refusal public assessment report

AdoptedReference Number: EMA/647868/2017