Clinuvel granted orphan designation

By Dylan Bushell-Embling
Tuesday, 29 July, 2008

Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals' [ASX: CUV] lead compound afamelanotide (CUV1647) has been granted orphan-drug designation by the US FDA.

Afamelanotide is a photoreceptive drug designed for use in the management of erythopoietic porphyrias, a rare group of metabolic disorders which cause phototoxicity.

Orphan-drug designation allows for an accelerated review process by the FDA, seven-year exclusivity once approval is obtained, and various tax benefits and fee exemptions.

Afemelanotide is also being developed as a treatment for other UV-related skin disorders and for cancer prophylaxis.

Related News

Scientists uncover how cancer cells hide from immune system

By targeting the RNA helicase known as DDX6, scientists could enable the immune system to...

Vanillin flavouring in vapes may disrupt embryo development

Vanillin — a common flavouring chemical in e-cigarettes — may disrupt the normal...

Heart valve tissues created from stem cells

The breakthrough should help advance our understanding into how human heart valves develop,...


  • All content Copyright © 2026 Westwick-Farrow Pty Ltd