Sodium chlorite for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Sodium chlorite for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

On 19 June 2013, orphan designation (EU/3/13/1139) was granted by the European Commission to Shore Limited, United Kingdom, for sodium chlorite (also known as NP001) for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

What is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive disease of the nervous system, where nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary movement gradually deteriorate. This causes loss of muscle function and paralysis. The exact causes are unknown but are believed to include genetic and environmental factors. The symptoms of ALS vary depending on which muscles weaken first, and include loss of balance, loss of control of hand and arm movement, difficulty speaking, swallowing and breathing. ALS usually starts in mid-life and men are more likely to develop the disease than women.

ALS is a long-term debilitating and life-threatening disease because of the gradual loss of function and its paralysing effect on muscles used for breathing which usually leads to death due to respiratory failure.
What is the estimated number of patients affected by the condition?
At the time of designation, ALS affected less than 1 in 10,000 people in the European Union (EU). This was equivalent to a total of fewer than 51,000 people*, and is below the ceiling for orphan designation, which is 5 people in 10,000. This is based on the information provided by the sponsor and the knowledge of the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP).

What treatments are available?

At the time of designation, medicines authorised in the EU to treat ALS included riluzole. Patients also received supportive treatment to temporarily relieve the symptoms of the disease, such as physiotherapy and speech therapy.
The sponsor has provided sufficient information to show that sodium chlorite might be of significant benefit for patients with ALS because early studies in preclinical models show that it might delay the progression of the disease. This assumption will need to be confirmed at the time of marketing authorisation, in order to maintain the orphan status.
How is this medicine expected to work?
Sodium chlorite interferes with the functions of macrophages, a type of white blood cell that forms part of the immune system. Macrophages are involved in the inflammation process. In ALS, they are believed to be over-activated, producing high levels of substances called cytokines which attack and damage the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. By blocking the activity of the macrophages, sodium chlorite is expected to reduce their activity, thereby preventing the progression of the disease. The medicine is expected to be given by injection into a vein.

What is the stage of development of this medicine?

The effects of sodium chlorite have been evaluated in experimental models.
At the time of submission of the application for orphan designation, clinical trials with sodium chlorite in patients with ALS were ongoing.
At the time of submission, sodium chlorite was not authorised anywhere in the EU for ALS. Orphan designation of sodium chlorite had been granted in the United States of America for slowing progression of ALS.

In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 141/2000 of 16 December 1999, the COMP adopted a positive opinion on 15 May 2013 recommending the granting of this designation.