EU/3/09/672 - orphan designation for treatment of multiple myeloma
Pomalidomide
OrphanHuman
Overview
Please note that this product was withdrawn from the Community Register of designated orphan medicinal products in August 2023 at the end of the 10-year period of market exclusivity.
Pomalidomide has been authorised in the EU as Imnovid since 5 August 2013.
On 8 October 2009, orphan designation (EU/3/09/672) was granted by the European Commission to Celgene Europe Limited, United Kingdom, for pomalidomide for the treatment of multiple myeloma.
Multiple myeloma is a cancer of a type of white blood cell called plasma cells. Plasma cells are found in the bone marrow, the spongy tissue inside the large bones in the body. In multiple myeloma, the division of plasma cells becomes out of control, resulting in abnormal, immature plasma cells multiplying and filling up the bone marrow. This interferes with production of normal white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets (components that help the blood to clot), leading to complications such as anaemia (low red-blood-cell counts), bone pain and fractures, raised blood calcium levels and kidney disease.
Multiple myeloma is a life-threatening disease that leads to poor long-term survival.
At the time of designation, multiple myeloma affected approximately 2.2 in 10,000 people in the European Union (EU). This was equivalent to a total of around 111,000 people*, and is below the threshold for orphan designation, which is 5 people in 10,000. This is based on the information provided by the sponsor and 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 504,800,000 (Eurostat 2009).
At the time of designation, several medicines were authorised for multiple myeloma in the EU. The main treatment for multiple myeloma was chemotherapy (medicines to treat cancer) usually combined with steroids to reduce the activity of the immune system, the body's natural defences. Radiotherapy (treatment with radiation) was considered to be very useful in treating pain and weakened bones. Interferon alfa, a protein normally produced by the body during viral infections, was sometimes used in combination with chemotherapy.
The sponsor has provided sufficient information to show that pomalidomide might be of significant benefit for patients with multiple myeloma because it might be used in patients who do not respond to existing treatments. In addition, the medicine will be available as capsules, whereas some existing treatments need to be given by injection. These assumptions will need to be confirmed at the time of marketing authorisation, in order to maintain the orphan status.
Pomalidomide is an immunomodulating agent. This means that it affects the activity of the immune system. Pomalidomide is expected to work in a number of ways in multiple myeloma, in a similar way to other immunomodulating agents such as lenalidomide and thalidomide: it is expected to block the development of tumour cells, by preventing the growth of blood vessels within tumours and thereby reducing the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the cancer cells. It is also expected to stimulate some of the specialised cells of the immune system to attack the cancerous cells.
The effects of pomalidomide have been evaluated in experimental models.
At the time of submission of the application for orphan designation, clinical trials in patients with multiple myeloma were ongoing.
At the time of submission, pomalidomide was not authorised anywhere in the EU for multiple myeloma. Orphan designation of pomalidomide had been granted in the United States for this condition.
In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 141/2000 of 16 December 1999, the COMP adopted a positive opinion on 8 July 2009 recommending the granting of this designation.
Update: Pomalidomide (Imnovid, previously Pomalidomide Celgene) has been authorised in the EU since 5 August 2013. Imnovid in combination with dexamethasone is indicated in the treatment of adult patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least two prior treatment regimens, including both lenalidomide and bortezomib, and have demonstrated disease progression on the last therapy.
- 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 Community) 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
- Pomalidomide
- Medicine name
- Imnovid
- Intended use
- Treatment of multiple myeloma
- Orphan designation status
- Expired
- EU designation number
- EU/3/09/672
- Date of designation
- Sponsor
Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma EEIG
Plaza 254
Blanchardstown Corporate Park 2
Dublin 15
D15 T867
Ireland
Tel. +353 1 483 3857
E-mail: medical.information@bms.com
Review of designation
During its meeting of 11-13 June 2013, the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP) reviewed the designation EU/3/09/672 for Imnovid, previously Pomalidomide Celgene, (pomalidomide) as an orphan medicinal product for the treatment of multiple myeloma. The COMP assessed whether, at the time of marketing authorisation, the medicinal product still met the criteria for orphan designation. The Committee looked at the seriousness and prevalence of the condition, and the existence of other satisfactory methods of treatment. As other methods of treatment for patients with this condition are authorised in the European Union (EU), the COMP also looked at the significant benefit of the product over existing treatments. The COMP recommended that the orphan designation of the medicine be maintained*.
*The maintenance of the orphan designation at time of marketing authorisation would, except in specific situations, give an orphan medicinal product 10 years of market exclusivity in the EU. This means that in the 10 years after its authorisation similar products with a comparable therapeutic indication cannot be placed on the market.
The Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products reviewed the orphan designation of Imnovid at the time of change to the terms of the marketing authorisation, and confirmed that the orphan designation should be maintained.
More information is available in the Imnovid: Orphan maintenance assessment report (post-authorisation).
Update history
| Date | Update |
|---|---|
| August 2023 | The product was withdrawn from the Community Register of designated orphan medicinal products at the end of the 10-year period of market exclusivity. |
| June 2021 | The sponsorship was transferred to Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma EEIG. |
| July 2018 | The sponsorship was transferred to Celgene Europe B.V., The Netherlands. |
Documents related to this orphan designation evaluation
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: