North American Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Markets

Published by: Frost & Sullivan

Published: Jul. 7, 2005

Table of Contents

Abstract

Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis affect an estimated 6.9 million people in North America, and despite its massive prevalence, the condition remains largely under-diagnosed. While the psoriasis treatment market has been static and generalized until recently, the introduction and increasing uptake of novel biologic response modifiers is driving revenue growth. Further, as there exists enormous opportunities for improved medications and treatment strategies, emerging therapies for these conditions are being developed in the market. These strategies address unmet medical concerns regarding safety (relating to highly toxic systemics that are currently in use), efficacy (addressing current topicals) duration of action (addressing patient interest in medications that induce remission), convenience (low frequency of dosing and self-administration), and cost (high cost of biologics).

This Frost & Sullivan research service examines the North American markets for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis therapies. The study analyzes the forces that are expected to shape the future of biologic and other emerging therapeutic categories in the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The study also focuses on physician prescribing patterns and insights.

Robust Drug Development Pipeline Fuels Market Growth

Market interest in the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis is relatively high and pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are developing prospective drugs that offer enhanced safety profiles, longer relapse periods, and a more rapid medication onset. With over 25 products in the development pipeline, the market is considered very lucrative, as there are significant unmet medical needs. In addition, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, eczema, rheumatoid arthritis, and Crohn’s disease can be treated with similar medication, allowing companies to expand indications for existing medications and minimize developmental costs.

However, despite the tremendous promise, there have been numerous setbacks among products in the later clinical stage. "Allergan Inc. has received a non-approvable letter from the FDA for its oral tazarotene and Serono’s Onercept, a promising tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor in phase III clinical trials was withdrawn due to safety concerns and sub-optimal efficacy observed then," says the analyst of this research service. "Similarly, Abgenix, Inc.ABX-IL8 (a monoclonal antibody specific to IL-8) and Genmab A/Ss HuMax-CD4 (a monoclonal antibody targeting CD4 receptor on T-lymphocytes were withdrawn after they failed phase IIb studies."

Expanded Indications Hold Untapped Revenue Potential

The psoriatic arthritis market has emerged with the launch of Enbrel (etanercept) as the first therapy approved for psoriatic arthritisin both the United States and Canada. Remicade (infliximab) recently gained approval in the United States and with over a million psoriatic arthritis patients in North America, addressing this market serves to increase revenues and strengthen the case for treatment products that have dual indications. Most companies are seeking the psoriatic arthritis indication first as a competitive strategy since patients with psoriatic arthritis also suffer from psoriasis. As a result, as physicians gain experience in assessing the dual properties of these drugs, they are likely to prescribe them off-label to their psoriasis patients.

Although the number of patients seeking treatment is expected to grow, emerging product revenues are likely to be at the expense of traditional products, particular those with severe side effects. In addition to biologics, new oral systemics such as ISA247 (a cyclosporine analogue), BG-12 (a oral fumarate), and pimecrolimus (products that are likely to be launched between 2007 and 2008) are expected to significantly cut into the sales of methotrexate and cyclosporine in particular. "Around 40 percent of products in clinical trials for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are already marketed products seeking approval for an expanded indication," says the analyst. "Understanding primary care and dermatologist treatment patterns and insights are critical in competing effectively in this market."

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