Driven by the Uptake of Several Emerging Agents, the MRSA Drug Market Will Increase From $631 Million in 2009 to $752 Million in

Key Emerging Agents That Will Drive Growth Include Ceftaroline and Torezolid, According to Findings from Decision Resources

BURLINGTON, Mass., Nov. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Decision Resources, one of the world's leading research and advisory firms for pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) drug market will increase from $631 million in 2009 to $752 million in 2019 in the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom and Japan.

The Pharmacor 2010 findings from the topic entitled Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) finds that market growth will be driven by the uptake of several emerging agents that include Forest/AstraZeneca/Takeda's ceftaroline (Teflaro) and Trius Therapeutics' torezolid, a second-generation oxazolidinone. Ceftaroline recently received FDA approval for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSIs) and community-acquired bacterial pneumonia, while torezolid began its first Phase III trial in ABSSSIs in August 2010. Together, these two agents will capture more than one-third of the overall MRSA market in 2019.

"The late-stage MRSA pipeline is diverse, spanning several antibiotic classes, including many first-in-class broad-spectrum anti-MRSA agents from well-established classes: cephalosporins, quinolones and fusidanes," said Decision Resources Analyst Charu Vepari, Ph.D. "In contrast to the current MRSA armamentarium consisting largely of narrow-spectrum agents, most of the new MRSA therapies entering the market in the next decade will be broad-spectrum agents."

The MRSA pipeline is also comprised of several new therapies being developed in both intravenous (IV) and oral formulations, indicating that developers have recognized the need and opportunity for oral MRSA therapies for both the hospital and community setting. Agents with dual IV and oral formulations include torezolid, Rib-X's delafloxacin and Novartis/Paratek's amadacycline. In the coming decade, numerous emerging products are poised to address the need for interchangeable IV and oral formulations.

The Pharmacor 2010 findings also reveal that the recent approval and pending launch of the broad-spectrum, first-in-class anti-MRSA cephalosporin—ceftaroline (estimated launch in January, 2011)—will change class dynamics and bring cephalosporins to the forefront of the MRSA armamentarium. Because of its broad and expanded activity against MRSA, ceftaroline is well-positioned for use as a first-line empiric therapy for suspected MRSA infections. Basilea's ceftobiprole, ceftaroline's once formidable competitor, was denied FDA approval for complicated skin and skin structure infections in December 2009 and was unable to receive European marketing authorization in February 2010. Consequently, ceftaroline will be the first and only MRSA cephalosporin on the market for the foreseeable future, given uncertainty about continued development of ceftobiprole.

"We believe ceftaroline will enjoy significant commercial success, earning $150 to 200 million in peak year major-market sales for MRSA infections," Dr. Vepari said.

About Pharmacor 2010

The newly redesigned Pharmacor advisory service offers clients in the biopharmaceutical industry the most up-to-date information available on commercially significant disease topics.

About Decision Resources

Decision Resources (www.decisionresources.com) is a world leader in market research publications, advisory services and consulting designed to help clients shape strategy, allocate resources and master their chosen markets. Decision Resources is a Decision Resources, Inc. company.

About Decision Resources, Inc.

Decision Resources, Inc. is a cohesive portfolio of companies that offers best-in-class, high-value information and insights on important sectors of the healthcare industry. Clients rely on this analysis and data to make informed decisions. Please visit Decision Resources, Inc. at www.DecisionResourcesInc.com.

All company, brand, or product names contained in this document may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

SOURCE Decision Resources