Virulizin granted orphan drug status in Europe

Lorus Therapeutics has announced that the EMEA (European Medicines Agency) has given a positive opinion on Lorus' application for orphan drug status to Virulizin, the company's lead anticancer drug for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

This most recent orphan drug status designation for Virulizin indicates that the product has potential to provide efficacy and a significant benefit to patients with this devastating condition. This positive opinion also strengthens the product's position in the European Union (EU), as the Phase III global registration clinical trial in pancreatic cancer nears completion during the second half of this calendar year. Virulizin received orphan drug status for pancreatic cancer in the United States from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2001.

In order for a medicinal product to be designated as an orphan medicinal product in the EU, the sponsor must establish that a satisfactory method of treatment, which has been authorized in the European Community, does not exist for the condition, or, if such a method exists, that the medicinal product will be of significant benefit to those affected by that condition.

Significant benefit is defined in Commission Regulation (EC) 847/2000 as a 'clinically relevant advantage or a major contribution to patient care'. The applicant is required to justify the assumption that the medicinal product will be of significant benefit compared to the existing authorized medicinal products or methods at the time of designation.

"Virulizin has now achieved orphan drug status for pancreatic cancer in two of the largest markets in the world providing Lorus with an important advantage in these markets," said Dr. Jim Wright, CEO, Lorus. "Further, we believe that this additional status enhances the value of our lead anticancer drug asset."

Orphan drug designation in the EU provides market exclusivity for 10 years (from products of the same mechanism of action or structural similarity) in pancreatic cancer as well as eligibility for fee reductions and the potential for accelerated review.

Comments

The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of News Medical.
Post a new comment
Post

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.

You might also like...
Jefferson Lab team explores proton therapy as a safer cancer treatment