DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/5c0e19/multiple_sclerosis) has announced the addition of the "Multiple Sclerosis Drug Discoveries - What the Future Holds" report to their offering.
The recent approval in the US of Novartis orally administered Gilenya (fingolimod) heralds a new phase in the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
Over the last few years, the MS market has been driven by five disease-modifying agents: Tevas Copaxone (glatiramer acetate), Biogen Idecs Avonex (interferon beta-1a) and Tysabri (natalizumab), Merck KGaAs Rebif (interferon beta-1a) and Bayers Betaferon (interferon beta-1b). From 2009, interferon beta-1b has also been available from Novartis as Extavia; this is the same formulation as Betaferon.
In addition to these, Amgens Novantrone (mitoxantrone) has been available to treat MS. Generic mitoxantrone is also available. Avonex, Betaferon/Extavia, Rebif and Copaxone are all used in first-line therapy for RRMS. They are generally well accepted and have accumulated comprehensive safety and clinical trial data supporting their use in modifying the course of the disease. Tysabri and mitoxantrone are generally used in second-line therapy in RRMS. Mitoxantrone is also approved to treat SPMS and PRMS. Both of these agents are associated with serious side-effects.
The arrival of oral treatments brings big clinical advantages:
The development of oral therapies for MS has attracted significant investment from pharmaceutical companies and the first of these have begun to receive marketing approvals, signalling another major change in the way MS is treated. In September 2010, Novartis won the race to gain the first oral approval in the US with its sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor agonist, Gilenya. The product was also approved in Russia in the same month. Mercks oral product, Movectro (cladribine) was approved in Russia in July 2010 and in Australia in September 2010 for the treatment of RRMS for a maximum duration of two years. However, the European Medicine Agencys CHMP issued a negative opinion for Movectro for the treatment of RRMS.
This report estimates the current MS market value is in the region of US$12.6 billion with strong growth going forward
Background to the disease:
Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune neurological disease affecting up to 2.5 million people worldwide, the majority of whom live in North America and Europe. It is a complex disorder that affects people in different ways. Around 85% of patients are initially diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS (RRMS). Up to half of these will go on to develop secondary-progressive MS (SPMS).
The other main types identified are primary progressive MS (PPMS), which affects around 10% of patients at onset, and progressive-relapsing MS (PRMS) which affects up to 5% of patients. There is currently no cure for MS and treatment is aimed at its symptoms and slowing disease progression. The launch of interferons during the 1990s transformed the treatment of MS but there is still a large unmet clinical need in reducing disease progression.
Shape of the industry in 2010... At the forefront of the MS market is Biogen Idec, with a market share of 27% due to sales of Avonex and Tysabri. Following closely are Teva and sanofi-aventis who currently market Copaxone, giving them a combined share of the market by sales value of around 30%. With the third biggest seller, Rebif, Merck Serono has been attributed with a market share of 19%; Bayer Schering takes 15% of the market with Betaferon sales; while Elans share of Tysabri sales provide the company with around 4%.
Key company, market and product questions answered such as:
- What are the four main types of MS?
- Research into MS vaccines has stalled. What is the current situation and are there still opportunities in this area?
- How might the asthma treatment salbutamol (albuterol) help control MS?
- Which countries have the highest prevalence of patients per 100,000 population?
- MS is a geographically specific condition what are the theories as to why this is so?
- Despite having patent protection until 2014, generic companies are already making a play for Tevas Copaxone. Whos involved and what is the current status?
- What are the expected sales in 2016 of Novartis novel oral MS treatment Gilenya?
- What are the patient safety concerns with Biogen Idecs Ampyra (dalfampridine), the first in class treatment for treating MS symptoms?
- How many Phase III products are in the pipeline and when are they expected to launch?
- What positive clinical trial results did sanofi-aventis report for its oral MS drug teriflunomide?
To view the reports full table of contents and for more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/5c0e19/multiple_sclerosis
Source: Espicom Business Intelligence Ltd
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KEYWORDS: Europe Ireland
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Health Infectious Diseases Pharmaceutical General Health
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