GENT 30-odd %:
VILLA GUARDIA, Italy, Feb. 21, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gentium S.p.A. (GENT) (the "Company") announced today that, the Company had presented an oral explanation at the European Medicines Agency's ("EMA") Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use ("CHMP") as part of its Marketing Authorization Application ("MAA") for Defibrotide to treat and prevent hepatic veno-occlusive disease ("VOD") in adults and children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation therapy.
Following the oral explanation, based on preliminary feedback from the European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use, the Company expects an opinion recommending against approval of the Marketing Authorization Application for Defibrotide to treat and prevent hepatic veno-occlusive disease in adults and children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation therapy. While not a final decision, the Company considers it unlikely that this position will change before the formal vote is undertaken next month. If a formal negative recommendation is issued, and depending upon the nature of the objections, the Company may appeal such negative decision.
"We await the official decision and the formal report, which should provide us specifics on any additional requirements leading to the approval of Defibrotide in Europe," said Dr. Khalid Islam, President and Chief Executive Officer of Gentium. "We will work closely with the CHMP to address the Committee's concerns and remain confident of the favorable benefit/risk profile of Defibrotide, which is the only option recommended by the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation for the treatment of VOD, an unmet medical need where no known agents are currently approved. We will continue to review all possible options with respect to next steps regarding the Company's MAA."
Patients will continue to have access to Defibrotide, through clinical studies and under a named patient program ("NPP") where available...
(See discussion on company thread.) |
