GUILDFORD, England, March 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --
P ositive scientific opinion under Early
Access to Medicines Scheme (EAMS) recognises burden of severe atopic dermatitis and the significant unmet need of patients
Sanofi, and its specialty care global business unit, Sanofi Genzyme, announced today that the UK's Medicines and
Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has granted dupilumab, an investigational treatment for atopic dermatitis (AD),
a positive scientific opinion through the Early Access to Medicines Scheme (EAMS). The decision means that eligible adults with
severe AD can access dupilumab before the drug is granted marketing authorisation in the UK.
" The EAMS positive scientific opinion from the MHRA is an important development for people with atopic
dermatitis," said Carla Jones, Chief Executive, Allergy UK. " Allergy UK supports
patients with a range of allergic conditions, including atopic dermatitis, and we see the impact this debilitating,
life-altering condition can have on people ' s day-to-day functioning, making simple tasks such as dressing
or bathing difficult. These individuals have suffered for most of their lives with widespread inflamed skin, intense itch and
sleep disturbances, often causing symptoms of anxiety, depression and a sense of isolation. "
" People dismiss atopic dermatitis as ' just a skin condition ' , but it is much more
than that. Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, systemic, inflammatory disease that can have an immense impact on sufferers
' lives, " said Prof Michael Cork, Consultant Dermatologist, Professor of
Dermatology and Head of Sheffield Dermatology Research, University of Sheffield. "Up until
now, doctors have had little to offer even the most severe patients beyond an escalating routine of topical treatments and
immunosuppressants . Dupilumab targets an underlying cause of the condition and gives us a new treatment
approach for patients with the most clinical need . "
The aim of EAMS is to provide early availability of innovative new unlicensed medicines to UK patients that have a high degree
of unmet clinical need. The medicines included in the scheme are those that are intended to treat, diagnose or prevent seriously
debilitating or life-threatening conditions where there are no adequate treatment options.[ 1 ]
Previous products approved under EAMS have mainly been for life-limiting conditions, such as cancer. The inclusion of a treatment
for atopic dermatitis, a type of chronic eczema, recognises how debilitating this condition can be and how much impact it can
have on people's physical and psychological wellbeing.
Under EAMS, dupilumab is being made available to eligible adult patients throughout the UK who have severe AD that has failed
to respond to all currently approved therapies, as well as patients with severe AD who are intolerant of, or ineligible for, all
approved treatments.
AD (also known as atopic eczema) is the most common form of eczema.[ 2 ] It can present on
any part of the body, and the inflamed and dry skin that is symptomatic of the condition, and the symptoms of potential
infections, can be extremely difficult for people to deal with, both physically due to the pain and discomfort, as well as
psychologically, socially and emotionally. AD can be painful and itchy, and affect a person's ability to sleep, to concentrate,
their personal relationships, their confidence to socialise, and their career.[ 3 ] This is not
widely understood in society, where it is often viewed as a purely physical condition. Many patients express feelings of
frustration, embarrassment and anger about their appearance.[ 3 ]
" Sanofi is committed to ensuring that people who really need dupilumab have access to it as soon as possible
- which is why we applied for EAMS. MHRA recognising the innovation that dupilumab represents for people living with
atopic dermatitis is a significant step forward , " said Dr Jasmin
Hussein, Head of Atopic Dermatitis and Asthma, Sanofi Genzyme UK & Ireland.
Dupilumab is currently under joint development with Regeneron and Sanofi and its safety and efficacy have not been fully
evaluated by any regulatory body. The formal EU regulatory application for dupilumab is currently under review by the European
Medicines Agency (EMA).
Patients wishing to access dupilumab through EAMS should contact their healthcare professional.
About dupilumab
Dupilumab is an investigational fully human monoclonal antibody. It is a targeted immunotherapy that inhibits signalling of
IL-4 and IL-13, two key cytokines required for the Type2 (including Th2) immune response, which is believed to be a fundamental
driver of inflammation associated with atopic dermatitis.
If approved, dupilumab would be commercialised by Regeneron and Sanofi Genzyme, the specialty care global business unit of
Sanofi.
About Sanofi
Sanofi, a global healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients' needs.
Sanofi is organised into five global business units: Diabetes and Cardiovascular, General Medicines and Emerging Markets, Sanofi
Genzyme, Sanofi Pasteur and Consumer Healthcare. Sanofi is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and
in New York (NYSE: SNY).
Sanofi Genzyme focuses on developing specialty treatments for debilitating diseases that are often difficult to diagnose and
treat, providing hope to patients and their families.
References
- Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency Guidance. Apply for the early access to medicines scheme (EAMS).
Available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-the-early-access-to-medicines-scheme-eams. (Accessed March 2017).
- NHS Choices. Atopic Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis). Available at: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Eczema-(atopic)/Pages/Introduction.aspx. (Accessed March
2017).
- Anderson RT, Rajagopalan R. Effects of allergic dermatitis on health-related quality of life. Curr Allergy Asthma
Rep 2001; 1(4): 309-315.