EU/3/17/1841 - orphan designation for treatment of von Hippel-Lindau disease
propranolol hydrochloride
OrphanHuman
Overview
On 27 February 2017, orphan designation (EU/3/17/1841) was granted by the European Commission to Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC), Spain, for propranolol hydrochloride for the treatment of von Hippel-Lindau disease.
Von Hippel-Lindau disease is a genetic disease characterised by growth of mostly benign but also cancerous tumours in many organs of the body, including in the kidneys, pancreas, adrenal glands and inner ear, as well as abnormal growth of blood vessels in the eye, brain and spinal cord.
The disease is caused by a defect in the VHL gene which is responsible for the production of a protein that prevents tumour formation. In patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease, the defective gene cannot produce sufficient protein that works properly, leading to the development of tumours.
Von Hippel-Lindau disease is a long-term debilitating and life-threatening disease due to the complications caused by the various tumours that can have wide-ranging effects on the body.
At the time of designation, von Hippel-Lindau disease affected approximately 0.2 in 10,000 people in the European Union (EU). This was equivalent to a total of around 10,000 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).
At the time of designation, no satisfactory methods were authorised in the EU for the treatment of von Hippel-Lindau disease. Patients were mainly treated with surgery to remove tumours in the affected organs and with laser therapy to treat eye symptoms.
Propranolol is a type of medicine called a beta blocker, which has been used for many years in the EU to treat a variety of conditions, including diseases of the heart and high blood pressure, and benign tumours of the blood vessels (haemangioma) in children. It blocks receptors in the body called beta adrenoceptors, preventing them from responding to the natural hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline. This leads to a narrowing of blood vessels, reducing the amount of blood flowing through them. The way in which this medicine may work in von Hippel-Lindau disease is not fully understood. It may help to slow growth of tumours by reducing blood supply to tumours.
The effects of propranolol hydrochloride 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 von Hippel-Lindau disease were ongoing.
At the time of submission, the medicine was not authorised anywhere in the EU for von Hippel-Lindau disease 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 19 January 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
- propranolol hydrochloride
- Intended use
- Treatment of von Hippel-Lindau disease
- Orphan designation status
- Positive
- EU designation number
- EU/3/17/1841
- Date of designation
- Sponsor
Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC)
C/ Serrano 142
28006 Madrid
Spain
Telephone: +34 91 568 15 31
E-mail: vatc@csic.es
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:
Orphanet, a database containing information on rare diseases, which includes a directory of patients’ organisations registered in Europe.
European Organisation for Rare Diseases (EURORDIS), a non-governmental alliance of patient organisations and individuals active in the field of rare diseases.
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: