Gentium S.p.A. (GENT) announced Friday that it has been informed by the European Medicines Agency's or EMA Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use or "CHMP" that it has adopted a negative opinion, recommending the refusal of the marketing authorization for Defibrotide to treat and prevent hepatic veno-occlusive disease or VOD in adults and children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation therapy.
Gentium noted that it remains convinced of the favourable benefit/risk profile of Defibrotide, which is the only option recommended by the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation for the treatment VOD, an unmet medical need where no agents are currently approved.
As per European regulations, the company said it plans to appeal the EMA's decision and request a re-examination of the CHMP opinion. EU patients will continue to have access to Defibrotide, under a named patient program where available.
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