EMA committee recommends approval of arpraziquantel for treatment of schistosomiasis in preschool-aged children

Astellas Pharma Inc. contributed to the development of a paediatric formulation to treat schistosomiasis as a member of the Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium (Consortium). The Consortium announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) adopted a positive scientific opinion for arpraziquantel to treat one of the neglected tropical diseases, schistosomiasis, in preschool-aged children (3 months to 6 years of age) on December 15. EMA assessed arpraziquantel under the EU-Medicines for all (EU-M4all) procedure for high-priority medicines intended for use in countries outside the European Union.

Astellas provided its innovative formulation technology to co-develop arpraziquantel as a member of the Consortium. The new pediatric formulation of arpraziquantel is palatable for very young children by reducing the bitter taste associated with the medication and administered via a 150 mg dispersible tablet that is dissolved in water. The prototype of the paediatric formulation has been developed by Astellas and further optimized by Merck (Germany) for global production using simple manufacturing processes yielding tablets that can remain shelf stable, even in hot and humid tropical climates. Farmanguinhos (Brazil) brings expertise in production and distribution and will be the manufacturing site for the future introduction of the new paediatric medication in endemic countries. The partnership with Universal Corporation Ltd. (Kenya) is also supporting the planned future large-scale local production to serve African countries.

In parallel with this regulatory work, the Consortium’s implementation research programme (ADOPT) is ongoing and preparing for the introduction of arpraziquantel in the first endemic countries in Africa. To ensure equitable and sustainable access, it is essential that new procurement and funding mechanisms are collaboratively explored and established. The intent is to make the product available at an at-cost basis in sub-Saharan African countries.

Astellas has set a Strategic Goal to “deepen our engagement in sustainability” in the Astellas Corporate Strategic Plan 2021. To address the key sustainability issue of Access to Health (ATH), Astellas uses a comprehensive approach including, (1) Astellas’ core business (Rx, Rx+), (2) Enhancing availability of Astellas products (Access to Medicines), and (3) Collaboration and support for the activities implemented by external partners. Initiatives in the Consortium apply to (3), and the positive CHMP scientific opinion by EMA of arpraziquantel represents a significant milestone in alignment with Astellas’ Access to Health focus.

Naoki Okamura, president and CEO, Astellas, said: “We are so pleased that arpraziquantel received a positive scientific opinion by EMA, and also proud that Astellas could contribute to its development by providing our innovative formulation technologies. Access to Health is essential to the health of people around the world, and we recognize it as a material issue for Astellas. Through our VISION to be "On the forefront of healthcare change to turn innovative science into VALUE for patients", we are proactively taking a comprehensive approach to solving this issue.”

Schistosomiasis (also known as bilharzia) is one of the most prevalent parasitic diseases worldwide and a very important one in terms of public health burden and economic impact. It is a poverty-related disease that is widespread in tropical and subtropical regions where large sections of the population have no access to clean water. Flatworms transmit the disease and people become infected with the parasite through contact with freshwater, for example, while working, swimming, fishing, or washing their clothes. The minuscule larvae penetrate human skin, enter the blood vessels, and attack internal organs. The infection rate is particularly high among children. Schistosomiasis is a chronic condition and is classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of 20 neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).

The current standard of care treatment for schistosomiasis is praziquantel. Praziquantel is safe, effective, and suitable for school-aged children and adults. Extending the range of options for the treatment of schistosomiasis, arpraziquantel is tailored for preschool-aged children against Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium. Tested in clinical development, under the responsibility of Merck, arpraziquantel contains the pharmacologically active enantiomer of praziquantel. In developing arpraziquantel, the Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium established a paediatric drug development program, divided into four major steps: preclinical development, clinical development, registration, and access.

The Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium is an international public-private partnership that aims to reduce the global disease burden of schistosomiasis and improve child health by addressing the medical needs of infected preschool-aged children. Its mission is to develop, register, and provide access to a suitable pediatric drug for treating schistosomiasis in children 3 months to 6 years of age.

Consortium Partners: Merck (Germany); ·Astellas Pharma Inc. (Japan); The Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Switzerland); Lygature (The Netherlands): Farmanguinhos (Brazil): Unlimit Health (United Kingdom); Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kenya); Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny (Côte d'Ivoire); Klinikum rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München (Germany)’ Ministry of Health Côte d'Ivoire (Côte d'Ivoire); African Institute for Health and Development (Kenya).

Other collaborators that contribute to the mission of the Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium: Makerere University School of Public Health (Uganda)’ Ministry of Health Kenya, Division of Vector Borne and NTDs (Kenya)’ Ministry of Health Uganda, Vector Borne and NTDs Control Division (Uganda).

Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company conducting business in more than 70 countries around the world. The company is promoting the focus area approach that is designed to identify opportunities for the continuous creation of new drugs to address diseases with high unmet medical needs by focusing on biology and modality.

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