Hot Topics in Multiple Sclerosis: US Prescriber Perception of Biosimilars - Brands to lose over a fifth of patients to copy-cat drugs

With healthcare expenditure soaring, the need for more cost-effective treatments is becoming a high priority. Launch of cheaper biosimilars represents a substantial threat to biologic manufacturers and will shape the multiple sclerosis market over the next decade. Datamonitor conducted a survey of 50 US neurologists to ascertain the future impact of biosimilars on their prescribing patterns.Understand the factors that make multiple sclerosis an attractive opportunity for biosimilar developers.

Gauge the expected patient switch rate from brands to biosimilars and the impact on the future US multiple sclerosis drug market.

Understand the key drivers and resistors to prescribing biosimilars in multiple sclerosis and their relative importance, as rated by US neurologists.

The multiple sclerosis (MS) market is dominated by expensive biologics nearing the end of their patent life. Given these branded biologics are priced at a premium, the profit margins for biosimilar MS drugs can be highly favorable and with pressure to reduce costs from payers any discount from the original brand will be looked on positively.The first biosimilars of the interferons and glatiramer acetate are expected to enter market within the next five years. Natalizumab biosimilars will not arrive for another few years afterwards as the high cost of implementing patient monitoring programs to assess the risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy deters investment.The pressure to lower spend from healthcare payers will drive uptake of cheaper biosimilar alternatives to branded multiple sclerosis therapies. Datamonitor estimates that biosimilars could offer annual savings of between $7,400-12,900 per patient in the US.

What is the potential sales impact of biosimilars on the multiple sclerosis market?

Why is multiple sclerosis an attractive market for biosimilar developers?

What attributes of a biosimilar will influence neurologists’ prescribing decisions in multiple sclerosis?

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