On 10 March 2005, orphan designation (EU/3/05/264) was granted by the European Commission to TROPHOS SA, France for cholest-4-en-3-one, oxime for the treatment of 5 q spinal muscular atrophy.
- What is 5q spinal muscular atrophy?
5q spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an inherited disease. The abnormal gene is located on a portion of chromosome number 5 called “the q arm” (hence the name “5q”) and the disease occurs if both parents pass an abmormal version of this gene onto their offspring (this type of disease transmission is called “autosomal recessive transmission”). Due to this genetic defect, a molecule called “spinal motor neuron” (SMN) protein is lacking. Normally, SMN protein is essential to the normal functioning and survival of motor neurons (the cells of the nervous system which allow the body to move) and without this protein these neurons may deteriorate and eventually die, resulting in muscle weakness. In 5q SMAs muscle weakness is found most often at the level of proximal muscles (the muscles closest to the trunk), but in the most severe cases respiratory muscles can be affected too leading to increased risk of pneumonia and breathing problems. The disease is life-threatening and chronically debilitating.
- What are the methods of treatment available?
No satisfactory methods exist that were authorised at the time of application. Several treatment methods consisting of medicines or non-medicinal approaches have been tried or are currently under investigation.
- What is the estimated number of patients affected by the condition*?
According to the information provided by the sponsor, 5q spinal muscular atrophy was affecting about 12,000 persons in European Union.
*Disclaimer: For the purpose of the designation, the number of patients affected by the condition is estimated and assessed based on data from the European Union (EU 25), Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein. This represents a population of 459,700,000 (Eurostat 2004). This estimate is based on available information and calculations presented by the sponsor at the time of the application.
- How is this medicinal product expected to act?
Cholest-4-en-3-one, oxime is a substance that derives from cholesterol and is supposed to protect the motor neurons either by stimulating their repair and delaying their death. The exact mechanism of action is not known; effects on cellular structures called “mitochondria” may be involved.
- What is the stage of development of this medicinal product?
The effects of cholest-4-en-3-one, oxime were evaluated in experimental models. At the time of submission of the application for orphan designation, no clinical trials in patients with 5q spinal muscular atrophy were initiated. Cholest-4-en-3-one, oxime was not marketed anywhere worldwide for 5q spinal muscular atrophy or designated as orphan medicinal product elsewhere for this condition, at the time of submission.
According to Regulation (EC) No 141/2000 of 16 December 1999, the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP) adopted on 3 February 2005 a positive opinion recommending the grant of the above-mentioned designation.
- Opinions on orphan medicinal products designations are based on the following cumulative criteria:
- the seriousness of the condition,
- the existence or not of alternative methods of diagnosis, prevention or treatment and
- either the rarity of the condition (considered to affect not more than five in ten thousand persons in the Community) or the insufficient return of development investments.
Designated orphan medicinal products are still investigational products which were considered for designation on the basis of potential activity. An orphan designation is not a marketing authorisation. As a consequence, demonstration of the quality, safety and efficacy will be necessary before this product can be granted a marketing authorisation.
|Name||Language||First published||Last updated|
|EU/3/05/264: Public summary of positive opinion for orphan designation of cholest-4-en-3-one, oxime for the treatment of 5 q spinal muscular atrophy||(English only)||11/10/2005|
|Active substance||cholest-4-en-3-one, oxime|
|Disease/condition||Treatment of 5q spinal muscular atrophy|
|Date of decision||09/03/2005|
|Orphan decision number||EU/3/05/264|
Review of designation
Sponsor’s contact details:
Parc scientifique de Lumigny
Luminy Biotech Entreprise
13288 Marseille cedex
Telephone: +33 4 91 82 82 82
Telefax: +33 4 91 82 82 89
Patients’ associations contact points:
Jennifer Trust Spinal Muscular Atrophy (JTSMA)
Stratdord upon Avon
Telephone: +44 87 07 74 36 51 / +44 80 09 75 31 00
Telefax: +44 87 07 74 36 52
AFM : Association Française contre les Myopathies
1 Rue de l'Internationale
91002 Evry Cedex
Telephone: +33 1 69 47 28 28 / +33 81 08 11 088
Telefax: +33 1 60 77 12 16
Initiative 'Forschung und Therapie für SMA'
c/o Inge Schwersenz
Telephone.: +49 60 21 95 056