EU/3/17/1871 - orphan designation for treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia
225Ac-lintuzumab
OrphanHuman
Overview
On 22 May 2017, orphan designation (EU/3/17/1871) was granted by the European Commission to Voisin Consulting S.A.R.L, France, for 225Ac-lintuzumab for the treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia.
In October 2021, Voisin Consulting S.A.R.L. changed name to Voisin Consulting Life Sciences.
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a cancer of the white blood cells (cells that fight infections). In patients with AML, the bone marrow (the spongy tissue inside the large bones, where blood cells are produced) produces large numbers of abnormal, immature white blood cells. These abnormal cells quickly build up in large numbers in the bone marrow and are found in the blood.
AML is a long-term debilitating and life-threatening disease because these abnormal immature cells take the place of the normal blood cells, causing bleeding episodes, blood clots and a reduced ability to fight infections.
At the time of designation, AML affected approximately 1 in 10,000 people in the European Union (EU). This was equivalent to a total of around 52,000 people*, and is below the ceiling for orphan designation, which is 5 people in 10,000. This isbased 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 28), Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. This represents a population of 515,700,000 (Eurostat 2017).
Treatment for AML is complex and depends on a number of factors including the extent of the disease, whether it has been treated before, and the patient's age, symptoms and general state of health. At the time of designation, the main treatments for AML were chemotherapy (medicines to treat cancer) and haematopoietic (blood) stem-cell transplantation (a procedure where the patient's bone marrow is cleared of cells and replaced by stem cells to form new bone marrow that produces healthy blood cells).
The sponsor has provided sufficient information to show that the medicine might be of significant benefit for patients with AML because early studies show an improvement in those who could not receive the usual initial chemotherapy treatment. This assumption will need to be confirmed at the time of marketing authorisation, in order to maintain the orphan status.
The medicine is made up of the monoclonal antibody lintuzumab linked to a radioactive element, actinium-225 (225Ac). Lintuzumab attaches to CD33, a receptor (target) which is present at high levels on the surface of AML cancer cells. The linked 225Ac releases short-lived radioactivity that can destroy nearby cells. By attaching to CD33 receptors, the medicine is expected to concentrate the radioactivity in the area of the AML cells and so kill them selectively, reducing the growth of the cancer.
The effects of the medicine have been evaluated in experimental models.
At the time of submission of the application for orphan designation, clinical trials with the medicine in patients with AML were ongoing.
The medicine was not authorised anywhere in the EU for AML. Orphan designation of the medicine had been granted in the United States for acute myelogenous (myeloid) leukaemia.
In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 141/2000 of 16 December 1999, the COMP adopted a positive opinion on 11 April 2017 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
- 225Ac-lintuzumab
- Intended use
- Treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia
- Orphan designation status
- Positive
- EU designation number
- EU/3/17/1871
- Date of designation
- Sponsor
Voisin Consulting Life Sciences
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: