In 2007 total global monoclonal antibody (mAb) sales reached $26 billion and are forecast to almost double to $49 billion by 2013. While small molecule drug sales will continue to make up the majority of total market sales, the mAb market, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of almost 11% will continue to grow at a much greater rate than their small molecule counterparts. Traditionally, the ‘big five’ mAbs – Avastin, Herceptin, Rituxan, Humira and Remicade – have dominated the market, cornering almost 80% of sales in 2007. However, in the report "Monoclonal Antibodies Report: 2008 Update" independent market analyst Datamonitor has identified an ‘emerging eight’ group of mAbs that will each achieve annual sales of at least $500 million between 2007-2013.

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With the growing cost of developing novel drugs combined with the fact that from year-to-year fewer such drugs are gaining regulatory approval, the use by pharmaceutical companies of lifecycle management (LCM) techniques is playing an ever-more important role in the increasingly cost-conscious pharma industry. According to an actual report "Rx-to-OTC Strategies: Maximizing the Commercial Potential of an Rx-to-OTC Switch" says Datamonitor pharmaceutical strategy senior analyst Alistair Sinclair:"Prescription to over-the-counter (Rx-to-OTC) switching is one such strategy employed to either enhance existing franchise revenues or protect branded revenues from generic competition. An Rx-to-OTC switch involves the reclassification of a prescription product as an OTC product by the relevant national regulatory authorizations."

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With the Beijing 2008 Olympics over, increased attention has been given to the after effects that the event will have on the Chinese economy and, in particular, on the rapidly growing manufacturing sector. While other host countries such as South Korea (Seoul), Spain (Barcelona) and Australia (Sydney) saw a slowdown in economic growth after hosting the Olympics, the impact on Beijing and China is less clear cut due to the country’s status as an emerging economic superpower. In Datamonitor’s opinion, after the Olympics have ended, China’s manufacturing industry will continue to slow as the business outlook within the manufacturing industry darkens.
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With the costs of providing healthcare spiraling, governments and payers across the seven major markets are implementing cost-cutting initiatives in an effort to combat these escalating healthcare costs, which in turn is putting even greater pressure on pharma companies. Recently the National institute of clinical excellence (NICE) in the UK reject four new kidney cancer therapies on the basis of cost effectiveness. This decision effectively denies patients access to these novel drugs, a decision that has angered healthcare professional and patients alike.
 
In addition to pharmaceutical companies being under pressure due to the credit crunch, ever fewer novel products are coming to market, contributing to the declining return on investment. With the cost-effectiveness of a product at the top of the agenda for payers, pharmaceutical companies need to focus upon developing truly novel drugs if they wish to achieve a premium price and strong reimbursement position. However, according to independent market analyst Datamonitor senior pharmaceutical analyst Dr. Sandra Reynolds: ”This also comes at a risk in an increasingly safety-conscious era, leaving Pharma in a difficult-to-win situation,” she says.
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