Cardiovascular Generic Drugs: Prospects and Opportunities to 2012

Additional Information

With a number of first line therapies coming off-patent in the next 5 years the prospects for generic producers are good

Cardiovascular disease is a global problem. In the developed world, its prevalence is linked to our increasingly unhealthy lifestyle, with risk factors including lack of exercise, overweight and obesity, and smoking. It is also linked to diabetes, a condition affecting an increasing number of people worldwide which greatly increases the risk of developing heart disease. The main areas targeted by cardiovascular drugs are high blood pressure and elevated blood cholesterol levels.

While the cholesterol management market remains dominated by statins and fixed-dose combination drugs containing statins, the market for drugs to treat hypertension covers a number of classes, such as beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin-II receptor antagonists, calcium channel blockers and alpha blockers. The number of drugs to achieve blockbuster status in this sector runs into double figures and recent patent expiries have been characterised by the launch of multiple generics in this highly competitive market. This trend is likely to continue with, for example, the generic launch of the major anti-hypertensive drug ramipril onto the US market which is anticipated in October 2008.

IN FOCUS...

Statins
The most widely prescribed drugs for cholesterol management are HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, or statins. In terms of revenue, Pfizer’s Lipitor (atorvastatin) is the largest selling drug of any kind worldwide. Lipitor accounts for around 40% of the market for cholesterol management drugs by value. Without a viable replacement in the pipeline, Pfizer is keen to hold onto its Lipitor revenue for as long as possible. Ranbaxy is equally keen to launch generic atorvastatin in key markets and continues its worldwide patent litigation battle with Pfizer. While Pfizer should be able to fend off generic competition in the US at least until its basic patent expires in March 2010, Lipitor has also been facing competition from multiple entries of generic simvastatin.

Anti-Hypertensives
The global hypertension drugs market is currently valued at around US$38.5 billion. The range of drug classes available to treat high blood pressure contributes to the competitive nature of a market in which there were 13 blockbuster drugs in 2006, with combined sales of US$25.8 billion. While competition among the multinationals is significant in this lucrative segment, the marketplace for generics is equally competitive. Typically, an anti-hypertensive going off patent is highly contested with multiple generic market entrants.

Sales forecasts to 2012 for major products
Crestor
Lescol
Lipitor
Pravachol/Mevalotin
Zocor
Zetia
TriCor
Vytorin
Caduet
Aprovel/Avapro
Diovan/Co-Diovan
Cozaar/Hyzaar
Micardis
Atacand
Benicar/Olmetec
Norvasc
Adalat
Altace/Delix/Tritace
Accupril
Coreg
Seloken/Toprol-XL
Lotrel

Companies active in the cardiovascular market are reviewed with respect to
Products
Financials
Significant developments

Companies covered:
Actavis
Apotex
Aurobindo Pharma
Caraco Pharmaceutical Labs
Dr Reddy’s
Glenmark
Impax Laboratories
InvaGen Pharmaceuticals
Lupin
Mylan
Par Pharmaceutical
Ranbaxy
Roxane Laboratories
Sandoz
Teva
Watson
Zydus Cadila