Phase II Confirmatory Study in Erythropoietic Protoporphyria (EPP)

Afamelanotide is a man-made drug being studied for use as a preventative medication for EPP sufferers. It is a synthetically produced analogue of human alpha melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) and is not yet available on the market.

The purpose of this study is to look at whether afamelanotide can reduce the number and severity of EPP symptoms when patients are exposed to light between 10:00 and 20:00 hours. This study will also look at how the drug is tolerated when taken by people with EPP.

The study will involve the use of an implant, which comes in the form of a small rod to be administered under the skin. The implant may contain the study drug afamelanotide or a placebo (inactive medication).

Over 450 subjects have been treated with afamelanotide to date with no serious safety concerns identified. For this study, afamelanotide has been formulated as a controlled release depot injection (implant). This means that the afamelanotide will be released slowly into the body over a few days. Once inserted, the implant will remain in the body after afamelanotide has been released and will slowly dissolve.

This study will help to provide more information about afamelanotide. This information will be used to determine the safety and efficacy (the ability of the drug to produce an effect) of this drug in EPP sufferers.

Inclusion criteria

• Male or female subjects with characteristic photosensitivity of EPP symptoms and positive diagnosis of EPP confirmed by laboratory result of elevated total protoporphyrin IX.
• Aged 18 years old and above (inclusive).
• Able to understand and sign the written Informed Consent Form.
• Willing to take precautions to prevent pregnancy until completion of the study (Day 180).

Exclusion criteria

• Any allergy to afamelanotide or the polymer contained in the implant or to lidocaine or other local anesthetic to be used during the administration of the study medication
• EPP patients with significant hepatic involvement
• Personal history of melanoma or dysplastic nevus syndrome.
• Current Bowen's disease, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or other malignant or premalignant skin lesions.
• Any other photodermatosis such as PLE, DLE or solar urticaria.
• Any evidence of clinically significant organ dysfunction or any clinically significant deviation from normal in the clinical or laboratory determinations.
• Acute history of drug or alcohol abuse (in the last 6 months).
• Patient assessed as not suitable for the study in the opinion of the Investigator (e.g. noncompliance history, allergic to local anesthetics, faints when given injections or giving blood).
• Participation in a clinical trial for an investigational agent within 30 days prior to the screening visit.
• Prior and concomitant therapy with medications which may interfere with the objectives of the study, including drugs that cause photosensitivity or skin pigmentation within 60 days prior to the screening visit.
• Female who is pregnant (confirmed by positive serum β-HCG pregnancy test prior to baseline) or lactating.
• Females of child-bearing potential (pre-menopausal, not surgically sterile) not using adequate contraceptive measures (i.e. oral contraceptives, diaphragm plus spermicide, intrauterine device).