Genentech/Roche/Biogen Idec: Rituxan receives boost from leukemia data
Positive Phase III results have been released for first- and second-line CLL treatment with Rituxan.
Rituxan is the most successful targeted therapy drug to date, having long been established as a standard in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma treatment. Regulatory approval in chronic lymphocytic leukemia will further drive the drug’s sales potential. According to the report "Stakeholder Opinions: Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma - Is there room to emulate Rituxan’s success?" of independent market analyst Datamonitor sales growth may be hindered in some markets due to Rituxan’s existing off-label use.
(more…)
Battle for HIV drug market share getting fiercer - maybe too fierce for some
The HIV market, worth $9.3 billion in 2007, is expected to grow to $15.1 billion by 2017, driven by the increasing prevalence of HIV worldwide and the longer life expectancy of patients receiving treatment. Despite this growth, the competition is getting tougher across all antiretroviral drug classes. New efficacy and side-effect data on GlaxoSmithKline’s (GSK) nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) fixed-dose combination Epzicom and results from two major trials on the use of Protease Inhibitors, will significantly change the dynamics within their respective classes. The first integrase inhibitor, Merck & Co’s Isentress, launched in the autumn of 2007, is further intensifying the competition. According to a new report "Commercial Insight: HIV - The battle for market share is getting fiercer, 2008" by independent market analyst Datamonitor, competition is becoming so intense some big players in the HIV market may eventually be either squeezed, or opt out.
Monoclonal antibody sales to almost double in coming years
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.