Diurnal Group, a specialty pharmaceutical company targeting patient needs in chronic endocrine (hormonal) diseases, announced that an ‘in flight’ Market Authorisation Application (MAA) has been submitted to the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for Chronocort (modified-release hydrocortisone) as a treatment for adult and adolescent patients with the rare condition congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland).
The MAA submission follows MHRA guidance following the end of the Brexit Transition Period and follows submission of an MAA to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in December 2019, which was subsequently validated by the EMA in April 2020 and has continued along its planned review path with a marketing authorisation opinion for Chronocort approval in the European Economic Area anticipated in Q1 2021.
The submission for the MHRA is based on the same application submitted to the EMA in December 2019, including detailed analysis of data from the Company’s phase 3 study, the largest ever interventional clinical trial in CAH, an open-label safety extension study of Chronocort and written formal Scientific Advice received in April 2019 confirming the clinical and regulatory pathway for Chronocort as a treatment for patients with CAH. In parallel with the MHRA submission, Diurnal will seek confirmation of British Orphan Drug Status for Chronocort in CAH, which requires the Company to demonstrate significant clinical benefit for the product compared to existing therapies.
Should Chronocort be approved, it will provide the potential for life-long treatment across Europe, with patients commencing treatment with Alkindi (hydrocortisone granules in capsules for opening), the Company’s approved paediatric product, transitioning to Chronocort in adolescence and continuing with Chronocort treatment into later life.
Martin Whitaker, CEO of Diurnal, commented: “We are pleased to announce one of the first submissions of a Marketing Authorisation Application to the MHRA via the “in flight” process. Chronocort remains on track to be approved by the EMA during Q1 2021, with the MHRA approval also now expected during this period. We look forward to the potential launch of our second product in Great Britain and European Economic Area as we continue to build our commercial portfolio and drive towards becoming a world-leading specialty endocrinology business. There is a significant need for new therapies to improve outcomes for adult patients with CAH, which still results in increased morbidity and mortality worldwide. We believe that Chronocort, together with our paediatric product Alkindi, has the potential to provide new treatment options for CAH patients throughout their lives.”
CAH is an orphan condition caused by a block in cortisol production, an essential adrenal steroid hormone required for healthy life. A lack of cortisol in turn causes the over-production of male steroid hormones (androgens). Cortisol deficiency and over-production of androgens can lead to increased mortality, infertility and issues during sexual development, including ambiguous genitalia, precocious puberty and short stature. Sufferers, even if treated, remain at risk of death through an adrenal crisis. The condition is estimated to affect a total of approximately 41,000 patients in Europe, with over 400,000 in the rest of the world.
Independent UK (MHRA) application to run in parallel with ongoing European (EMA) application, following end of Brexit Transition period. Both EMA and MHRA marketing authorisations anticipated in Q1 2021 to address European market. Significant opportunity to address unmet patient need in a market estimated at US$ 250 million.
